Rangers caretaker manager Kenny McDowall has told David Templeton he should not be scared of giving the ball away.

The former Hearts winger was back in the Ibrox side's line up for the first time since the middle of November.

The 3-1 win over Dumbarton was just his seventh start of the campaign - a poor return for a player who cost the Glasgow giants £700,000 when he moved from Tynecastle in 2012.

McDowall - who picked up his first win as Gers boss since replacing Ally McCoist - admits the 25-year-old has suffered a crisis of confidence after being reduced to the role of an impact sub for most of the season.s - and reassured him he will not be criticised if he gives away possession.

He said: "David did well on Saturday. He's short on a bit of confidence, but I told him to just go and express himself. He's a flair player. He can't be afraid to go and lose possession. He's the type of boy who has to be allowed to do that.

"As much as you would like him to keep it, that's what they do - they entertain and try to take people on. He gets a wee bit more scope to do that than other people."