DJ: Templeton coaching jibe came at a bad time for Rangers

I can't understand why David Templeton has had a go after Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall have gone. I thought his comments about the coaching at Rangers last week was the wrong thing to say and I don't think Stuart McCall would have been happy about it either.

David is one of the 'stars' that was signed and was expected to do big things at Ibrox and he hasn't delivered. If anyone can have a go at the manager, it shouldn't be him. I don't think it can come from someone who hasn't done enough and has underachieved big time.

I think as far as Stuart is concerned, this debate is the last thing he needs. He has got the team playing well, the fans are delighted, and we are picking up results again. Everything is looking good and now we have this story coming out.

I appreciate David was asked the question and answered it. All he had to say was that the previous manager has gone, he is working hard for the manager, he hopes to get a game and he hopes to play well.

But he didn't do that and I don't think Stuart would have been pleased with that. David has put himself under pressure to perform now. With the way he has been playing, there was plenty of pressure on him already anyway.

He is not a kid, he is an experienced player and knew what he was doing. Everyone has got their own opinion but it was the wrong time to do it I think.

Jock Wallace used to say to us when we were going through a bad period that he didn't mind taking the stick. When we were doing well, the manager got the praise so when we weren't doing well, he was the man that took the flack.

He had to make us work harder and believe in ourselves and I think the Rangers squad need to have a good look at themselves. It is fine saying they are better organised or better here or there, but they have shown absolutely nothing for most of this season.

All of a sudden, Stuart comes in and they start playing like they should have been from the start. Stuart has done great and I hope he gets the job, because he has turned the club around.

But this group of players have got two managers the sack basically. They should be looking themselves in the mirror for the part they have played this season.

It is the old saying in football that players get managers the sack. But they are the ones that can keep them in a job by giving their all and playing well and, at times this season, that hasn't been the case with a lot of these players.

When a new manager comes in, he brings a different view on things and will have his own training methods. With the greatest of respect to Kenny, he would probably have been doing the same things that were being done when Ally was in charge because the two of them worked together so closely.

I doubt the training changed that much when Kenny was in charge. The players didn't get a lift when he came in.

Rangers have brought in someone in Stuart who obviously has a different outlook and different methods. He trains people hard and he has given the players a lift.

A few weeks ago, I said that Rangers didn't look a fit side. But you can't say that now. In the space of a couple of weeks, they are closing down and they are running to the end.

The energy levels have increased, as have the skill levels, and, most importantly, they are winning games again. Stuart has changed things, of course, but the manager can only do and say so much to a player.

Once you cross that line, the individual has to go out and play well and that is why it is ultimately the player's responsibility.

Until a few weeks ago, there weren't many players getting pass marks but that is different now. We have got to keep it going.

The players have had their pat on the back, they have had their kicks, and rightly so, and they need to keep working as hard as they are to keep this run going until the end of the season.

The positive for Rangers is that we are on the right track. We have beaten two teams - Hibs and Hearts - that we have struggled against this season. We were coasting on Sunday until half-time, and I don't buy the theory about the game meaning nothing to Hearts.

They came as champions looking to assert themselves, they had 2000 fans there to gloat and looking to beat Rangers. Well, it didn't happen.

We have got a real lift now. If we had lost to Hibs a few weeks ago, we would have been nine points behind. Now we are three ahead. That is how quickly things can change.

Now, looking ahead to Queen of the South, if we can win on Thursday I think we are a certainty to finish second.

They are a good side and any time we have played them it has been difficult but we are a better side than we have been all season. It is a big test tomorrow night but it would take an awful lot to dislodge us from second place if we were to win at Palmerston.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here