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Boss: "We Got Stronger"
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew was pleased with the performance of his United side at Rangers on Tuesday night
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Alan Pardew was pleased with the performance of his Newcastle United side at Rangers on Tuesday night, as they improved over the course of the evening.
Falling behind to Lee McCulloch's sixth-minute penalty, the Magpies took a while to find their feet at Ibrox.
However, they soon started to pose a real threat to the hosts' goal, with Mathieu Debuchy, Yohan Cabaye and Davide Santon all going close to finding an equaliser.
When it eventually arrived, it came in the final minute through substitute Shola Ameobi's chipped finish, and although late, the boss believes it was the least his troops deserved.
"It was a great game in terms of competitiveness," he told nufcTV following the final whistle.
"It's fair to say we weren't at our best but we got stronger as the game went on, which was pleasing.
"I gave everybody a game, which was the intention, and we're building up nicely (towards the start of the season).
"Some people did themselves a lot of credit. I thought Jonas did really well, was really positive and looked like his old self. Mathieu Debuchy was excellent, as was Cabaye and one or two others.
"Our substitutes made a little bit of an impact too.
"We certainly didn't deserve to draw, if I'm being honest. I thought we deserved to win but the goal just wouldn't come."
One big plus to come out of the pre-season trip to Glasgow was the 45-minute appearance of goalkeeper Tim Krul - his first outing since dislocating a shoulder back in April.
And Pardew is exercising caution as to whether the Dutch international will be in between the sticks for the opening game of the Premier League season at Manchester City in 12 days time.
"Tim's had three-and-a-half months out so the plan was to give him half a game," explained the boss.
"He needs to work hard now to give himself a chance for Manchester City.
"He will be fit but it's whether he will be ready, because three-and-a-half months is a long time for a goalkeeper.
"But he's an outstanding keeper, one of the best in the world, and hopefully he will be ready."
To watch Alan Pardew's full post-match nufcTV interview, click here