Paul Raynor talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
Assistant manager Paul Raynor was left delighted with the sharpness of his Millers’ squad following the 3-0 triumph over Greenock Morton in the first fixture of the club’s pre-season tour of Scotland.The Millers kicked off their campaign north of the border with the match at Cappielow Park in which Greg Halford, Lee Frecklington and Jonson Clarke-Harris got the goals, with a resolute defensive performance ensuring the hosts had no reply.
“It was a great work out especially in the first half, we got a little bit disjointed in the second half and that can sometimes happen when you start making numerous changes and we saw the tempo go a little bit but it was a 3-0 victory,” Raynor told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We’ve had some really tough games here in the past but this time it was a real comfortable victory.”
It was a strong Rotherham United outfit that took to the pitch in Greenock, with the travelling Millers’ supporters getting a first look at Matt Derbyshire, who got his first match action of the 2015/16 campaign having previously been absent through injury, while Kelle Roos donned the gloves for the first time in Rotherham colours.
“I thought particularly in the first half we started the game really brightly. I think Matt Derbyshire caused Morton all sorts of problems and the midfield worked hard and controlled the tempo while we looked very solid at the back and it was a nice start for Kelle Roos in goal.
“Matt looked incredibly sharp and his movement is always good but he played on the last defender and he looked really sharp and we saw some good signs of him linking with Greg Halford.”
The Millers also recorded their third clean sheet of their pre-season preparations with a resolute defensive display meaning that the hosts were unable to get on the scoresheet on a mild afternoon in Scotland.
“I thought Danny Collins was absolutely outstanding today and so were the guys in and around him. Frazer’s come in and looked very sharp and he had his injuries problems last year but he’s showing his experience now. It’s nice for Joe Mattock to get his first real start in a more competitive game.
“We’ve said all along that the guys are working really hard and we’re not taking any chances and that’s proven to be the right decision."