Hutton hails Lampard quality

Last updated : 07 August 2011 By Team Talk

Chelsea had familiar names such as Fernando Torres, John Terry, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole in their starting line-up, while their bench included Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Yossi Benayoun, all of whom came on to show their skills.

However, it was Lampard who impressed Hutton on a day when Rangers boss Ally McCoist gave chances to a number of his young players.

"It was brilliant," Hutton said.

"Frank Lampard is one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premiership. It's not often you get a chance to play against players like that and teams like that.

"In relation to SPL teams, their touch is better, their movement is quicker, they are more clever, they know where to be, they play at a high tempo and pass the ball quicker.

"It was amazing. It was just a friendly but you always take something from every game and it's always good to set yourself a challenge.

"We started well but a lapse of concentration led to Chelsea scoring and as the gaffer said afterwards, we are losing pretty poor goals.

"But all in all, I thought we did okay."

The gap in quality between the Stamford Bridge side and the Scottish champions was clear.

Nikica Jelavic headed Rangers into the lead after six minutes but only succeeded in riling Chelsea, who struck back with a Daniel Sturridge double before the break.

Malouda, one of the many substitutes used by both sides, grabbed number three with a close-range header in the 72nd minute after being set up by Drogba.

Rangers substitute goalkeeper Neil Alexander, on for Allan McGregor at the interval, saved Lampard's penalty two minutes later to keep the scoreline respectable.

Hutton, who made his Rangers debut a year ago, was one of the pluses for the SPL team and he has targeted this season as one where he pins down a regular place in McCoist's side.

"This was my first involvement of the season," he said.

"I just have to work hard, keep my head down and be ready to take my chance if I get it.

"I was breaking into the team last year but I am more mature now and I need to show what I can do when I get the chance."

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas met up with McCoist again having previously been on coaching courses at Largs with the new Rangers manager.

He tried to allay any fears Gers fans may have after watching their side comfortably beaten at the end of a week in which they exited the Champions League qualifiers to Swedish side Malmo.

"Rangers are one of the top teams in Europe and in Scotland they have the record of most titles which does a lot for the prestige of the club," said Villa-Boas.

"Ally is building on from where Walter (Smith) has left and hopefully he can be successful.

"The national title will be the main objective for Rangers and I'm sure they are on the right course."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk