Gers stars to fit in after Man U test

JONATAN JOHANSSON reckons putting Rangers comeback stars and fringe players up against Manchester United’s kids will help them hit the ground running when the league restarts next week.

The Gers coach, currently assisting caretaker boss Graeme Murty, pitched first-team players Carlos Pena, Bruno Alves, Niko Kranjcar, Dalcio and Eduardo Herrera into a closed-door friendly with United’s U-23s on Thursday.

A last-gasp strike by the visitors snatched a 2-2 draw at Auchenhowie after Herrera and Aaron Nemane had fired Gers in front.

But the result mattered less to Johansson than seeing academy players being helped through the test by the experienced firstteamers who got vital game time. Johansson said: “The starting first-team players all needed minutes and games and some of them, like David Bates who is coming back from injury, have been away a long time.

“We were hoping most players from the first team would get the 90 minutes – the likes of Aaron, Dalcio and Eduardo and also Niko and Carlos in midfield.

“I’m pleased and their attitude was good. They knew they had to work hard to get some match fitness and that shone through.

“They lifted the young players as well and were encouraging them so it was a good workout. We kept the ball for most of the game and there were some good passing movements.

“Everyone did well and Bruno came off at half-time and is back to fitness now. The players get a few days to recover and on Monday we start again ahead of the game against Hamilton.”