Monday 18 July 2016 07:44, UK
Mark Warburton said there was "only one team in it" after Rangers overcame a shaky start to beat Motherwell 2-0 in the Betfred Cup.
Motherwell started the brighter of the two sides at Fir Park and had early chances to take the lead as Rangers looked vulnerable in defence - just as they did towards the end of last season.
However, the visitors gradually started to dominate and went ahead three minutes after the break when James Tavernier curled an effort into the top corner before Martyn Waghorn sealed the win in injury time.
And Warburton was full of praise for his team's energy levels after that slack start, pointing out it was their first competitive game after a pre-season trip to America.
He hopes to include Joe Dodoo against Annan on Tuesday if his move from Leicester is completed, while Joey Barton could also play some part in the match.
"I'll take 12 minutes of rustiness but I thought we dominated the game after the 15th minute and, in truth, we should have been further ahead," Warburton said.
"Considering it was our first competitive game, we lost out on a few one v ones and gave the ball away cheaply early on but after that it was a very pleasing afternoon's work.
"I thought our energy levels were really good and you must remember that most of our players have only had 45 minutes' game time against Charleston Battery.
"But we dominated possession, created chances and looked sharp. I'm really pleased. I'll look at the game again because we could have been one or two down at the start and we should have stopped their chances.
"But then we took care of the football and won the one v ones, got tighter in key areas and, from the 15th to the 90th minute, there was only one team in it."
He added: "A number of players just coming back in and different loadings on the players, we have had a 10-day trip away, worked really hard, got some good work into each individual player but that's our first real game.
"Ideally we would have had that as the last of the four League Cup games, it didn't work that way, but to come to a tough place, show those energy levels at this stage of the season - we are still three weeks away, so a lot of work still to be done which we will put into place, but delighted with that."
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee bemoaned his side's missed chances, with Marvin Johnson, Lionel Ainsworth, Scott McDonald and Chris Cadden all coming close before the break.
"As far as we are concerned we made enough chances to at least get to penalty kicks," he said.
"Rangers play different to us, they have a lot more possession, but we know that and we were comfortable with that. In between them having possession, we made the best chances but didn't take them."
McGhee also confirmed that Louis Moult faces a lay-off until September as he undergoes a groin operation.
He said: "Louis is going to have minor surgery. He will miss the first three games of the league season. He should be ready after the international break."
