HE HAS stepped up to rescue Rangers several times this season after coming off the bench but David Templeton insists:

"Don't call me super sub."

The winger replaced Fraser Aird in Tuesday's League Cup tie at Falkirk before setting up Ian Black for the final goal in a 3-1 win for Ally McCoist's side.

That late strike helped to set up a quarter-final meeting with St Johnstone at Ibrox at the end of next month.

But it was not the first time this term that Templeton had made a crucial intervention in a match for the club.

The ex-Hearts man helped to turn a Petrofac Training Cup tie against Hibs in the Light Blues' favour after coming on as a second-half substitute.

With Rangers trailing 2-1 to Queen of the South in a league game at Ibrox last month, he was brought on at half-time and produced a wonder goal to equalise and inspire the home side to go on and win 4-2.

And last Saturday the first-half replacement for Lewis Macleod salvaged a 1-1 draw against Alloa with a late goal.

Temps is glad he's been able to help his side secure results in the Championship and in cup competitions.

But the 25-year-old wide player is desperate to shed his new "super sub" tag by going on an extended run in the first team in the weeks ahead.

He explained: "It's nice to come on and help the team by getting a goal or having a hand in somebody else scoring.

"But the 'super sub' thing is not something I want to be known for.

"I suppose it is better than not making any impact after coming on. But, just like every other player in the squad here, I want to be in the side from the start of matches and play the whole game."

Macleod and Nicky Clark both missed Tuesday's cup tie after picking up knocks at Alloa at the weekend.

But Templeton knows the strength of McCoist's squad means he has to make the most of every opportunity he gets.

"We have a few injuries to contend with at the moment," he said, "so there is an opportunity to get into the side.

"Dean Shiels got the nod against Falkirk and showed what he is capable of with a great goal.

"I got on during the game. But hopefully I will get the chance to start the games we have coming up now.

"I know that's entirely down to me. I have to play well when I get selected if I want to stay involved in the starting XI.

"With Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller, Darren McGregor and Marius Zaliukas all coming in this summer, we have a strong squad at Rangers now.

"If you don't perform to a high enough standard then someone else will come in and take your place. I think that's why I haven't been getting a start in the last few weeks.

"I haven't done well enough when I've been given a chance in the side."

When Templeton does hit peak form he is the sort of player who can light up a game and entertain supporters.

But he is also confident he can help Rangers to grind out results - a quality they'll need to draw on during the season.

The last two away games against Alloa and Falkirk have highlighted just how difficult sides in the Championship will be to overcome this term.

But Templeton is confident the League One champions are capable of "winning ugly" should the opposition attempt to kill the game.

He said: "We can play a more direct type of game should the situation demand that.

"Last Saturday at Alloa we created enough opportunities to nick the game at the end but just didn't take our chances.

"Having said that, Jon Daly scored what looked to me to be a perfectly good goal late on but it was ruled offside by the referee's assistant.

"So perhaps we should have picked up all three points there after all. We certainly had the chances to put the game away."

TURNING to this week's League Cup battle at Westfield, Templeton said: "We had to roll up our sleeves and work hard again to get a result against Falkirk.

"It was a great win after we had gone behind early on.

"Obviously, we want to play good football and entertain the Rangers fans who pay good money to come and support us.

"But sometimes that is not always possible. Sometimes the opposition will sit back and concentrate on defending against us. They can be hard to break down."

Next up for Gers is a league game against Hibernian at Ibrox on Monday night.

Templeton added: "We have a lot of good games coming up in all competitions in the weeks ahead. It's a very good time to be a part of things.

"Hopefully I can get my chance in the side from the start of games and can do well enough to help the team win and hold on to my place.

"It is entirely down to me to do that. If the manager selects me, then it is up to me to repay the faith he has shown by performing on the park. I'm confident I can do that."