After three games against non-league opposition full time Inverness proved to be a much stiffer test of the Pirates metal and at times the pressure of their Scottish rivals lead to sticky patches but the game will go down as an overall success for Paul Buckle, some impressive performances coming out of his team.
The best of those players was undoubtedly Mustapha Carayol whose delicious flicks and tricks gave Gasheads something to lick their lips at. The Gambian, signed from Lincoln City this summer, came out and looked supremely confident in his own ability to hustle and harry the Thistle full backs, starting off with an audacious backheel flick down the line that threw off his marker and allowed him to go on a jaunt towards the byline. Similar tricks followed before his impact on the game told, the winger being brought down in the box after a jinking run that saw him beat numerous defenders, giving Scott McGleish a chance to give Rovers the lead, an opportunity he took with aplomb.
It has been a long time since Rovers fans have been able to watch a player who can match blistering pace with enterprising skill and in their quest for League 2 promotion it will be a key attribute to the Pirates team.
Carayol went off at half time, replaced on the left by young forward Kayne McLaggon. Signed this week on a free the former Southampton striker put in a notable performance against hardened opposition, again showing good pace while the goal that he scored came from a fine finish, the tight angle not bewildering the twenty year old, and Buckle was clearly pleased when he spoke to the media after the game.
"I think you saw tonight why we brought him to the club. He's more than capable, though he lost his way at Southampton after an injury. However his goals return for Salisbury last season was good and he will add competition for places up front." Gleamed the Pirates boss.
Indeed, the ex-Salisbury boy proved that he will be challenging for a starting place this season, as he exhibited great strength, holding off his marker a couple of times and instinctively turning inside, seemingly on a sixpence.
McLaggon wasn't the only player to impress in the second period as right back Michael Boateng took to the pitch for the third time this pre-season, putting in what has become a typical display. Previously with Carshalton Athletic Boateng has given an indication of the type of full back Paul Buckle is after, throwing off the defensive shackles of his job and going on a number of marauding forward runs. He played a key part in the second goal scored against Bath City last Friday and once again blazed forward when the situation arose, nearly grabbing another assist when he shrugged off the Inverness left back on the byline before running along it and playing the ball into the middle.
Much of the freedom may have come from the lack of pressure on the youngster as prior to the game he was told by Paul Buckle that he would be offered a deal to stay with Rovers, as the gaffer revealed after the game, saying:"We are going to attack this season and take the game to teams, and he can certainly do that, so he will be joining us and I'm delighted to have him on board."
Boateng will have to battle with Michael Smith for the right back berth and, going on last nights performances, it will be a close contest, Smith starting slowly in the first half when put under pressure from the Inverness front line. Boateng's main job, of course, will be defending and he showed that he is capable in that area too, tackling well, getting himself into the right positions and showing notable aerial poise.
There were some minor faults that came out of the game, Adam Virgo struggled in the first half while his partner in the second, Cian Bolger, looked susceptible to long balls dropped over the back of his shoulder, the first Thistle equaliser came from a route one ball from the goalkeeper. Neither Virgo or Bolger looked comfortable dealing with pace and movement leaving doubts in minds as to whether they would work as a partnership during the competitive season. With the inexperienced Charlie Clough missing the game through injury it may be that Rovers are in the market for one more central defender in order to add depth and cover to their squad.
One of the top performers thus far in pre-season, Ben Swallow, didn't play up to the standards he has set himself, appearing unable to cope with the pace of the game, the Welshman giving away far too much possession with loose passes and dallying while on the ball, Inverness setting out to constantly shut down the Rovers players.
Overall, though, there were more positives than negatives to take out of the game, the Scots proving to be a step up in class after a string of non-league challenges. The proof of the pudding, however, will come on Tuesday when the Gas head back to the Memorial Stadium to play Championship Burnley, a game where you might expect a stronger and more stable starting line up, as Paul Buckle looks to show just how far Rovers have come.
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