Clyde boss Jim Duffy today praised defensive duo Declan Gallacher and Brian McQueen – despite seeing his side lose 4-0 to Motherwell last night.
Goals from Michael Higdon, Nicky Law, Tom Hateley and Steven Lawless clinched a place in the third round of the Scottish Communities League Cup for Stuart McCall's side as clinical finishing put paid to any chance of a cup shock.
But Duffy hopes his young central-defensive pairing will benefit from their Steelmen test.
He said: "We have got a lot of young boys who will try to get back up the ladder.
"Brian and Declan did really well. The two of them showed good presence and didn't make any obvious errors.
"The goals came out of nothing at times and from wide areas.
"I thought the two of them showed that if they keep working at their game and keep learning, they have got the physical presence and they are good on the ball, they can go back up the ladder again and we will try and give them a platform to do that.
Duffy admitted there was little his side could do about the goals, apart from Higdon's header from a corner.
"It was phenomenal finishing," Duffy said.
"The first goal was a mistake, but after that every finish was top drawer and there's nothing you can do about that.
"Our goalkeeper had a couple of brilliant saves from strikes."