Peter Murphy said he was pleased with how his Annan Athletic team responded after an "awestruck" start to their Scottish Cup tie against Rangers.
The Premiership champions raced into an early two-goal lead at Galabank and went on to win 3-0.
Annan manager Murphy, the former Carlisle United favourite, admitted his side found the start of the game difficult going.
But he said his League Two side grew into things as it went on against stars like Aaron Ramsey.
“At the start of the game my players were rabbits caught in headlights," said Murphy, speaking in the Daily Record.
“They were maybe awestruck at the pace of the game. We didn’t pass like I’d asked.
“By the time we’d settled, we were 2-0 down [and] I had a bit of a go at half-time. That’s how much I expect from them.
“I asked them to get on the ball, to pass and to give options - not to shirk away. In the second half we showed up and I was pleased with it.”
Murphy hopes the occasion can be a "catalyst" for his side, who sit third in their division.
He also said it would be a learning experience for many of his young players.
Annan's side included former Carlisle United prospects Charlie Barnes, Owen Moxon and Matty Douglas, with ex-Blues keeper Greg Fleming also starting and former United defender Steven Swinglehurst coming off the bench.
Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, meanwhile, felt his team's fast start had been key to their progress past the underdogs.
They went ahead through Filip Helander on seven minutes with Kemar Roofe adding a second after 22 minutes. Fashion Sakala made it 3-0 with 32 minutes gone.
Speaking to Premier Sports, who televised the game live, van Bronckhorst said: "I think we wanted to start really good and if you play really well from the beginning, you can already decide the match, which we did.
"They were difficult circumstances with the wind and rain but we are happy with the result."
Van Bronckhorst also welcomed the full debut of Juventus loan star Ramsey, the Wales and former Arsenal midfielder, who played for the first hour.
He said: "He wants to play football and enjoy football, and that's what you could see in the first half. He was trying to get openings and scored a goal that was offside.
"He looked very lively."
TEAMS
Annan: G Fleming, Lowdon (K Fleming 74), Barnes, Clark, Douglas, Docherty (Hunter 75), Wallace (Swinglehurst 74), Johnston (Goss 82), Moxon, Smith, Anderson (Garrity 64). Not used: Connolly, Adamson, Murphy, McMenamin, McCartney, Steele.
Rangers: McLaughlan, Barisic, Zukowski, Sands, Helander (Lowry 61), Sakala (Itten 70), Wright, Diallo (McCann 70), Ramsey (Simpson 61), Davis (King 61), Roofe. Not used: Bassey, McCrorie, Kamara, Tavernier.
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