Rooney likes what he sees in Spain

The Pilgrims spent a week at their Marbella base, putting in some punishing training sessions in the sweltering heat, as well as a warm-up fixture with top South African side Orlando Pirates.

That finished 2-2 with Argyle – who included summer signings Nathanael Ogbeta, Darko Gyabi, Muhamed Tjani and Ibrahim Cissoko in their squad – twice coming from behind to snatch a draw, courtesy of goals from Freddie Issaka and Callum Wright.

Post-game, former England striker Rooney talked up the trip, which had given him and his players the chance to get to know one another ahead of the new Sky Bet Championship campaign.

"It has been really good. The lads have been great and their attitude to training has been first class and we have got a lot of work into them,” said Rooney.

"It's never easy in pre-season. You are working the lads physically, but mentally as well, because there is a lot of information for the players to take in. I have been delighted with the work we have put into the players this week. When we get into the games back home we can start working on what we want from them tactically.

"It's important as team-mates you work well together and you are all pulling in the same direction. It's also very important they get to know each other off the pitch as well, and being over here the players are with each other all day every day. Especially the new players coming in, this really helps them."

Orlando Pirates finished as runners-up in the South African Premier Division last season, as well as winning the country's main cup competition, so they provided a strong test for Argyle.

Rooney said: "It was a very difficult game. Orlando Pirates are a very good team, we knew that, and then there was the heat. It was hard enough standing there watching, so for the lads it was a very hot evening.

"They have put a lot of work in this week. They had a double session (on Thursday) so it was important they got their minutes but also to try and get some rhythm of the game.

"I thought we grew into the game and got a little bit better in the second half and could have went on to win the game in the end. Overall, really pleased with the run-out for the players.

Rooney added: "There were things I want to see, and things I didn't want to see and that's what for pre-season is for. It's about trying to improve, trying to get us playing the way I want us to. There were some things which have to get better and will get better, and some things which I liked and enjoyed.

"It's the first of all our pre-season games but the most important thing was for the players to get back on the pitch, back into a rhythm of playing games. It was against a good team, who made it difficult for us at times. but overall I was pleased.

"The way they (Pirates) play, they entice you with the ball. They are comfortable on the ball, they have runners off the ball and they can make it difficult for you, so it was a good challenge for us, but I thought we done well.

"I think they are two or three weeks ahead of us in their pre-season schedule as well, which makes it a little bit more difficult for us. I was pleased in the end with the result but more importantly with some of the things I wanted to see."

Argyle's second pre-season game is away to League Two side Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road on Saturday, July 20, after which they will travel to Torquay United on Saturday, July 27, Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, July 30 and MK Dons on Saturday, August 3.

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