Annan gaffer Peter Murphy admits his players were in awe of Rangers as they crashed out of the Scottish Cup.
The League Two outfit lost 3-0 at Galabank to goals from Filip Helander, Kemar Roofe and Fashion Sakala, as Gers cruised into the quarter-final.
Annan’s performance improved after the break as the visitors took their foot off the gas.
But boss Murphy says they showed Gio van Bronckhorst’s side too much respect in the early stages.
They were two down after just 25 minutes and Murphy said: “At the start of the game my players were rabbits caught in headlights.
“They were maybe awestruck at the pace of the game. We didn’t pass like I’d asked.
“By the time we’d settled, we were 2-0 down.
“I had a bit of a go at half-time. That’s how much I expect from them.
“I asked them to get on the ball, to pass and to give options - not to shirk away.
“In the second half we showed up and I was pleased with it.”
In the build-up to the game, Murphy claimed Rangers would have failed if they didn’t win by four or five.
He stuck by his claim, despite his side being well beaten by the Premiership champions.
He said: “They’ve failed - but we’ve lost the game.
“We will see if this is a catalyst for us to kick on.
“The players know they let themselves down in the first 20 minutes.
“I think it was the occasion because we’ve got a very young squad.
“There were plenty of positives as well but we paid the price for that early start.
“We conceded from a set-piece then I was nearly clapping myself at the second goal.
“The third was the strangest goaI I’ve seen. But we just didn’t turn up for that 20 minutes.”
