Ally McCoist tight-lipped on Brian Stockbridge departure but praises game-change

[Bothwellbear 1,392]

Rangers boss

Ally McCoist tight-lipped on Brian Stockbridge departure but praises game-changer David Templeton

26 Jan 2014 07:46

TEMPLETON has made a big impact from the bench in the Gers' last two matches and inspired his side to victory against Arbroath at Ibrox.

David Templeton celebrates scoring against Forfar

Craig Foy/SNS Group

ALLY MCCOIST last night hailed David Templeton’s latest starring role off the bench as the Rangers boss refused to discuss the departure of controversial finance director Brian Stockbridge.

The Ibrox gaffer was thrilled with the winger’s game-changing introduction in yesterday’s 3-2 win over Arbroath. Templeton came on with Gers trailing 2-1 and scored for the second game running before Lee McCulloch sealed victory.

The former Hearts star – who also made a big impact coming on in last Monday’s 2-0 win at Forfar – has been plagued by injury niggles all season.

However, McCoist believes he is at last showing signs that he is ready to stage another stunning second-half show in the latter part of the season as Rangers close in on the League One title with their lead at the top now 23 points.

McCoist said: “I said to Temps after the game that he was absolutely terrific. He gave us a great boost, scored a great goal and hit the post.

“Templeton coming on was an integral part of the win and we all know he has the ability to change games. That performance after Monday will do him no harm at all.

“An on-form Templeton would play in most teams in the country. We have to be fair to him, he has struggled with injury and hasn’t managed to get a level of fitness that has made him play continually for a longer period.

“But if he can keep himself fit there’s a lot more of what we saw today, and particularly last Monday, that he can show.”

When asked for his reaction to the departure of unpopular finance director Stockbridge on Friday night, McCoist was tight lipped. He said: “The club have released a statement and I won’t say anything further.”

But the Rangers boss criticised his defence for the slackness that let Arbroath twice take the lead at Ibrox.

He added: “We were really made to work for it after losing two poor goals. The first one was a real disappointment early on and the second one was arguably worse.

“But for the vast majority of the game the lads played really well. They knocked the ball about, showed a lot of spirit, worked very hard for each other and created a lot of openings.

“It has been another great day for the team and another three points.”

[RockwellGers 14,912]

It's not Ally to stay so tight lipped, he rarely does that. It would be nice to see him do so a bit more often

[Getstiffed 8,863]

Halle-fucking-luiah!

Credit where its due Ally. More of the same please.

[simon 1,761]

Templeton did well when he came on, I would like to see him start more matches. I didn't realise his fitness was the reason he hadn't been starting. The lad is a match winner, plain and simple. He needs to get games and get his confidence up.

The team absolutely did not play well for the vast majority of the game, they were terrible. The passing was shocking and Ian Black was garbage yet again.

[allgers 735]

Templeton did well when he came on, I would like to see him start more matches. I didn't realise his fitness was the reason he hadn't been starting. The lad is a match winner, plain and simple. He needs to get games and get his confidence up.

The team absolutely did not play well for the vast majority of the game, they were terrible. The passing was shocking and Ian Black was garbage yet again.

Black was abysmal, looked totally uninterested yesterday, nothing he did worked, Aird had an off day yesterday but his industry carried him in my opinion. Wtf is the point of passing short to Black from a corner, when he picks it up he doesn't have a clue what to do with it. PUT THE CROSS IN FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE..

[simon 1,761]

Black was abysmal, looked totally uninterested yesterday, nothing he did worked, Aird had an off day yesterday but his industry carried him in my opinion. Wtf is the point of passing short to Black from a corner, when he picks it up he doesn't have a clue what to do with it. PUT THE CROSS IN FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE..

Airs struggled a bit but he just kept trying, I like him a lot. I think he will turn out to be a good player.

Black has had a handful of good games this season, that's it. I'm sick to death of seeing his punts forward into nobody.

[In walter we trust 228]

Probably one of our poorer games this season , crowd seemed pretty deflated , the team as a whole weren't interested and I couldn't select a man of the match , credit to Arbroath they were committed

[gogzy 31,195]

Airs struggled a bit but he just kept trying, I like him a lot. I think he will turn out to be a good player.

Black has had a handful of good games this season, that's it. I'm sick to death of seeing his punts forward into nobody.

I have been a defender of black, but I decided to watch him more closely yesterday, and he was utterly dire for pretty much the whole game.

He needs to be relieved of his jersey for a few weeks at least, and I would like to see Peralta get a run in his position.

[cushynumber 25,178]

I have been a defender of black, but I decided to watch him more closely yesterday, and he was utterly dire for pretty much the whole game.

He needs to be relieved of his jersey for a few weeks at least, and I would like to see Peralta get a run in his position.

peralta out wide has been absolute dross imo - are you suggesting putting him in the middle?

[gogzy 31,195]

peralta out wide has been absolute dross imo - are you suggesting putting him in the middle?

yes. I am sure the team we got him from, he played DM, and he plays RB for his country....I would love to see him get a run in one of thse positions before we write him off as a dud.

I truly believe there is a player in there.

[Getstiffed 8,863]

peralta out wide has been absolute dross imo - are you suggesting putting him in the middle?

Gogzy's had the mental idea that playing a CM at CM might be a good idea.

Gogzy, you've lost it mate.

[simplythebest 11,453]

Templeton's not perfect by any means but he should be starting every game for us when possible.

[bluedart1952 1,388]

I have been a defender of black, but I decided to watch him more closely yesterday, and he was utterly dire for pretty much the whole game.

He needs to be relieved of his jersey for a few weeks at least, and I would like to see Peralta get a run in his position.

He has been relieved of his jersey because of his stupidity at getting suspended.

[allgers 735]

I have been a defender of black, but I decided to watch him more closely yesterday, and he was utterly dire for pretty much the whole game.

He needs to be relieved of his jersey for a few weeks at least, and I would like to see Peralta get a run in his position.

Hope Peralta gets the chance to play through the middle before he's sent to the scrap heap.

[Skol 401]

Thought Andy Little did well when he came on too. Offered more than Shiels

[simon 1,761]

yes. I am sure the team we got him from, he played DM, and he plays RB for his country....I would love to see him get a run in one of thse positions before we write him off as a dud.

I truly believe there is a player in there.

If that's his natural position I'd be more than happy to see him play there!

[Inigo 32,848]

I have been a defender of black, but I decided to watch him more closely yesterday, and he was utterly dire for pretty much the whole game.

He needs to be relieved of his jersey for a few weeks at least, and I would like to see Peralta get a run in his position.

Spot on. Black was terrible and has been going through the motions. Peralta needs a chance in his own position at some point, now would be a good time. Also, I'm not Temps biggest fan, but I'll give him credit where it's due. He did well when he came on. He did more good things than he has been doing recently. The thing that I like is that he never hides. He always looks for the ball which shows courage when he's been having such a difficult time of it.

[Muirheadbear 1,483]

yes. I am sure the team we got him from, he played DM, and he plays RB for his country....I would love to see him get a run in one of thse positions before we write him off as a dud.

I truly believe there is a player in there.

You're on form today gogzy. I think McLeod should be in there before anyone else at our club - full stop!

[STEPPS BOY 76,222]

Hopefully Templeton and little start next week in a 4-4-2..

Black and Fuare should be dropped..

Blacks attitude of late is shocking.

[Guardian 4,281]

Good to see Ally is finally learning to shut up and stop giving the Rangers haters ammo.

Much better all round sticking to football matters.

[gogzy 31,195]

If that's his natural position I'd be more than happy to see him play there!

AFAIK its one of the two main positions that he plays.... and dare I say it, one of the reasons we brought him in

[Jimfanciesthedude 25,246]

I have been a defender of black, but I decided to watch him more closely yesterday, and he was utterly dire for pretty much the whole game.

He needs to be relieved of his jersey for a few weeks at least, and I would like to see Peralta get a run in his position.

Why should black be dropped, he's part of a team thats in a cup final, still in the Scottish cup and coasting the league

I back ian black 100% right now as its clearly working with him playing

[simon 1,761]

Why should black be dropped, he's part of a team thats in a cup final, still in the Scottish cup and coasting the league

I back ian black 100% right now as its clearly working with him playing

Black has been rank rotten for a while now.

[Jimfanciesthedude 25,246]

Black has been rank rotten for a while now.

so, the defence of our manager is that the wins keep coming, well black is in the engine room of the team that is winning so why drop him

fans cant have it both ways,

[MasterD 7,448]

Black has been rank for years with a good game here and there thrown in.