NEW Salford coach Shaun McRae today turned up the heat in the fight for Super League survival by issuing a challenge to every Reds player now under his rule.

McRae says he likes what he sees in the make up of the squad but is demanding they raise the bar to even higher levels in the coming weeks.

Speaking after winning his first game in charge - Friday's 5-2 victory over Harlequins - McRae told M.E.N. Sport: "It's fair to say I have been impressed with what I've already seen but the players can keep on impressing me even further with their performances.

"I've told them this and they know what to expect. We showed a lot of grit, steel and determination to beat the Quins and to pick up two very important points.

"It wasn't easy in tough conditions and my blood pressure was up and the pulse was racing with how tight the game was.

"We played well enough to win and, thankfully, we did.

"Defending well is going to be key to survival and we knew we would have to be gritty. We were prepared to get our elbows and knees dirty and we stuck at it.

"This Salford team recently restricted St Helens to 27 points, not many can do that and it shows we have the ability.;

"I thought Luke Dorn played pretty tough against his former club Harlequins but so did all the guys.

"We were always trying to create something and I saw a few players out there I didn't know too much about but now I know a lot more about them after the game.

"Everybody played a part in what was a good win and we know what we have to do from here on in."

Friday's victory for the Reds was the first-ever Super League game that has failed to produce a try. This surprised McRae but he was simply relieved to secure a much-needed victory

Football director Steve Simms claims the Reds dressing room was buzzing following McRae's arrival.

Pack star Mark Edmondson worked briefly with McRae at St Helens and he echoed Simms' sentiments.

Edmondson agrees McRae's arrival has been a timely boost.

He said: "Shaun has had to cram a lot into a short space of time but he's already achieved a lot of things and he knows what he's doing and what he wants.

"He has a different philosophy to Karl Harrison and everyone is out to impress. There's definitely a real buzz about the place again."

Skipper Mal Alker broke his hand against Harelquins but there were no further injury worries for McRae, who is renowned for his man-management skills.

The Aussie's next big test comes in a fortnight's time when Salford travel to another of his former clubs, Hull.

McRae has an eye firmly fixed on the Super League table and more points for Salford will increase the competition on clubs around them and reconfirm just how tight and competitive the top flight is this season.