ALLY McCoist today insisted his Rangers stars can force their way into the Scotland set-up for the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, despite playing in the second tier.

No Gers players were included in the national squad for the match away to World Cup winners Germany on Sunday week when it was announced yesterday.

Light Blues left-back Lee Wallace, who played for Gordon Strachan's side last season, admitted at the weekend that he had "given up hope" of being involved.

And Kris Boyd, who was called up by Scotland when he was playing for Kilmarnock in the SPFL Premiership last season, was also overlooked for the trip to Dortmund.

But McCoist reckons his best performers will feature for their country in the 2014/15 campaign - if they play well enough in the Championship and cup competitions. He said: "I have spoken to Gordon on numerous occasions. Gordon knows all of our players whether it is Cammy Bell, Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller or Lee Wallace.

"I have no doubt that if Gordon thinks Lee deserves to be in his squad then he will be.

"But what he has to do, and all of our players have to do, is obviously play well for Rangers.

"Gordon knows Boydy really, really well. He scored a hat-trick against Clyde and set up the goal for Nicky Clark against Dumbarton at the weekend.

"He has been leading the line well. He has just been a bit unlucky. He had a disallowed goal against Falkirk and a disallowed goal against Dumbarton.

"They were two great finishes too. Gordon knows him well enough. An in-form Kris Boyd would be an asset for anybody."

The manager, however, welcomed news of Lewis Macleod's call-up to the Scotland Under-21s. He said: "I'm delighted for Lewis and not surprised.

"We have been delighted with him, he has been performing really well. It's another small step for him.

Meanwhile, McCoist remains hopeful of bolstering his squad further ahead of the transfer deadline.

He is looking to secure at least one other new face, after completing the signing of Lee Robinson.

The former Ibrox goalkeeper has returned to the club until the end of the season as back-up for Steve Simonsen, after first-choice Cammy Bell suffered a shoulder injury.

McCoist said: "It's a no-brainer for us, with the doubt hanging over Cammy.

"We certainly couldn't take the chance with just having the one goalie in Simonsen.

"We are still working away and really keen to get possibly another addition to the squad."

McCoist has backed David Templeton to bounce back from his disappointing display in the 4-1 win over Dumbarton.

He said: "We have all had phases when things don't go for you. The only person who can get himself out of it is Temps. He'll work hard and he'll come through it.

"He is naturally a gifted footballer and he can do things on the park which the majority of players in the division can't.

"On Saturday, he struggled to get going a little bit, but I don't have any great concerns."