Rangers B boss David McCallum said Carlisle United gave his young players a "streetwise" test in yesterday's friendly.

The Scottish Premiership's XI and the Blues drew 1-1 in the reserve friendly at Rangers' training centre.

While Carlisle named a team full of first-team squad players, the Gers fielded a blend of youth and experience.

“We talk about European type games, the academy type games. This was more of a first team type game," said McCallum.

“For the younger players that was important, it was a different experience - it is more physical but in a way that is first team like where there is a lot of streetwise decisions made on the pitch and we have to find ways of making those moments for our players to try and adapt, adjust and perform."

Taylor Charters put Carlisle ahead from the penalty spot in the 66th minute before Thompson Ishaka levelled for the home side.

McCallum, speaking via Rangers' website, added: "It was a different type of game. We knew in advance what level of squad was going to come up from Carlisle and obviously they are a League One team in England.

News and Star: Taylor Charters scores a penalty against Rangers BTaylor Charters scores a penalty against Rangers B (Image: News & Star)

“They wanted to get a game that suited players that were not getting a lot of minutes in the first team at the moment and that are more hybrid-type players.

“We knew, with that being the case, that some of our lads in the first team that needed minutes as well, that it was going to be a game that was suitable for those types of players, so that was important to us.

“The guys needed to pick up and minutes and go get something in their legs for the manager and it was important that they did that."

Rangers included experienced defenders Leon Balogun and Ben Davies as well as others with first-team experience, along with some up and coming prospects including former Annan Athletic loanee James Graham.

Speaking about the game itself, McCallum felt his players could learn plenty from it.

“I enjoyed probably the first 60 minutes. I thought it was a really competitive game," he said.

“I thought we probably had the better of the chances in the first half particularly, obviously we never took them.

“Then it becomes a little bit scrappy in the second half I then think and both teams made substitutes as well.

“It was probably good for the first 60 and a bit scrappy towards the latter part of the game.

“We want our players to understand what that environment feels like, because ultimately we want to try and go beyond that.

“You lose a goal from the penalty, which is a little bit frustrating because I actually don’t think Robby [McCrorie, Rangers' goalkeeper] up until that point had an awful lot to do, it was mainly crosses that he was dealing with.

“It was a good reaction and response, an excellent goal. We had a couple of chances towards the end to maybe to have sneaked the win but unfortunately it didn't happen."