JIM MCINALLY reckons Peterhead came up against a ‘Premiership standard’ Rangers outfit as they went down 3-0 at Ibrox yesterday.

Goals from David Templeton, Kenny Miller and James Tavernier clinched a comfortable win for Mark Warburton’s side as they booked their place in the League Cup second round.

The margin of victory could have been far greater for the Light Blues if it wasn’t for some poor finishing and the form of keeper Graeme Smith on his return to Ibrox.

Blue Toon boss McInally faced Rangers when they were in the Third Division under Ally McCoist as Peterhead took four points from four league encounters.

And he was disappointed his side couldn’t get closer to a much-changed Gers line-up as Mark Warburton’s men warmed up for their Championship opener with St Mirren in style.

McInally said: “There’s no doubt they’ve improved. But if we’d sat the way we were sitting in the first half it could’ve finished 1-0. I didn’t think they exposed us in the first half.

“Graeme Smith had one or two good saves in the first half but in the second half he was fantastic and it wasn’t for him it could’ve been another six like they got last week.

“But we certainly made it a more entertaining game for the supporters in the second half because of the kamikaze way we played but as Mark Warburton said, it was a pre-season game and that’s the way I’ll treat it.

“That game wasn’t going to be a normal for us. Rangers are probably Premiership standard and it was always going to be tough.

“We played Dundee at this stage last season and it was every bit as tough because our part-timers aren’t as fit as full-timers are.

“The longer the game went on the stronger Rangers were getting and the more tired we were getting.

“I’ve liked our players all pre-season and that was a tough day at the office for them but they’ll learn from it.”