JONATAN Johansson was pleased to see Fabio Cardoso make a return from injury during Rangers' 4-0 friendly win over Berwick Rangers.
The Light Blues development team travelled to Shielfield Park on Wednesday evening with seven first-team players in tow for Steve Notman's testimonial game.
Cardoso was back in action for the first time since sustaining a broken nose during a clash with Ryan Bowman in last month's Betfred Cup semi-final.
First teamers Lee Hodson, David Bates, Dalcio, Liam Kelly, Aaron Nemane and Eduardo Herrera also played at least an hour of the game as goals from Bates, Nemane, Serge Atakayi and Jordan Thompson secured the win.
“It is difficult sometimes when you basically mix two sides together and you don’t practise on the training filed beforehand," Johansson told Rangers TV.
“I thought they got a really good workout and it was pleasing to see Fabio back from injury and we wanted to get everyone as close to 90 minutes as we could.
“I have to pick Lee Hodson out because he has been away with Northern Ireland this week and it was a difficult week for him mentally.
“He came back yesterday after a terrible flight and to come and give a performance like he did today was really good so I am pleased for him.”
The Finn was put in charge for the game alongside Billy Kirkwood, with Graeme Murty absent due to his duties as caretaker manager of the first team.
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Johansson underlined after the game that he was impressed by what he saw from the young players who featured.
“I am very pleased with the result and some of the performance," he said.
“We didn’t start too well and in the first-half I think we took a bit too long on the ball, we were playing too much individual football but after we got it going iI thought we were really good.
“I thought second-half was much better and we looked quicker on the ball, more confident on the ball and they couldn’t handle the pace of it.
“Overall I am pleased we won 4-0 because that makes it a great game but we can always do better.
“I was very impressed with the younger players, they were very hungry today. I said to them keeping a clean sheet is great.
“But the way we kept the shape the whole way through the game shows they have good understanding and I was happy with their recovery pace when they lost the ball both in the presses and the getting back.
“Their positions were really good and that shows a lot of determination and reaction. There were some really good performances, I hate picking players out because there were some really good displays.
“I spoke about Cammy Palmer last week and he continued that form this week, I think he has a really good understanding of the game,
“Young Serge, who I know from Finland, played really well in the second-half and he took his goal really well. Jordan Thompson was great tonight too and scored a brilliant goal.
“I was impressed by Liam Kelly too, we have been practising a lot with him through the week to play the ball from the back and I think he did it really well. He was brave on the ball and I think that makes it easier for the defence.”
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