None of Duffy's team had played at the Glasgow stadium before and he was pleased with how they acquitted themselves in the 3-0 defeat.

And he expects the Bully Wee players to benefit for the experience and use it to their advantage in their Irn-Bru Third Division outings in the future.

Duffy said: "I don't think as a manager you can ever settle for your team losing comfortably, but you can settle for players giving 100 per cent.

"Every player gave 100 per cent up against a far superior side. They have quality in all areas. They are a different level for us. Look at the goalscorers. Lee Wallace, David Templeton and Dean Shiels. They are all top quality players.

"Templeton especially is different class. I would expect them to fire through the league now. All credit to them. It took them a while to adjust, but they have done that now."

Duffy added: "When you are up against that level of player you have to work hard and be disciplined and organised that is what we did do. It took exceptional goals to beat us.

"I was relatively pleased as none of my players had played at Ibrox before, even in a reserve match or a youth match.

"So it was a daunting experience for them to come to a ground with nearly 50,000 people in it. It was nerve-wracking for the players.

"From my point of view, then, it was an education for my players. They have learned from this experience against very good players. I cannot criticise them at all. I asked them to be committed and they were."