David Templeton

For the Irish Presbyterian minister, see David J. Templeton.
David Templeton

Templeton playing for Rangers in 2015
Personal information
Full nameDavid Cooper Templeton[1]
Date of birth7 January 1989
Place of birthGlasgow, Scotland
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing positionWinger
Club information
Current team
Rangers
Number11
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005–2007Stenhousemuir30(11)
2007–2012Heart of Midlothian81(11)
2008→ Raith Rovers (loan)15(4)
2012–Rangers66(21)
National team
2007Scotland U192(0)
2010Scotland U212(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 November 2014.
† Appearances (Goals).

David Cooper Templeton (born 7 January 1989) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Championship side Rangers.

He has previously played for Stenhousemuir and Heart of Midlothian.

Club career

Stenhousemuir

Templeton started his senior career with Third Division side Stenhousemuir in 2005. He made 36 first team appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals all of which were in league fixtures.

Heart of Midlothian

He signed for Hearts in January 2007.[2] During the second half of the 2007–08 season he was loaned out to Second Division side Raith Rovers.[3]

Templeton made his first team debut as a substitute against Aberdeen in a goalless draw at Pittodrie. His first start came against Celtic at Parkhead on the final day of the 2008–09 season. Templeton then spent a period out of action due to foot injuries.[4]

Templeton made his first appearance of the 2009–10 season on 20 December 2009 against Celtic, setting up the winning goal in a 2–1 victory, crossing the ball for Ismael Bouzid to score.[5] On 21 February 2010, Templeton scored his first goal for Hearts, the second in a 2–0 defeat of Hamilton Academical. Since then, Templeton has frequently found himself on the scoresheet, scoring a number of memorable efforts, none more so than a spectacular dribble and finish in the first Edinburgh derby of the 2010–11 season.

Templeton received high praise from Terry Butcher after Hearts 1–1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. "The lad Templeton – wow, he's something special," said the Inverness manager. "I would pay money to watch him and he was on the other team. "He's just incredible, full of confidence. He's one of these unique players that pops up every now and then and people liken him to Davie Cooper and lots of other players as well.[6]

Templeton was also nominated for PFA Player of the Year for the 2010–11 season. He also won the Hearts Fans Player of the year.[7]

Templeton's final goal for Hearts came in the 2012-13 UEFA Europa League play-off round second leg against Liverpool at Anfield on 28 August 2012.

Rangers

On 31 August 2012, Templeton signed a four-year contract for the then Third Division club Rangers for an undisclosed fee (reported to be approximately £700,000). His first game for Rangers ended in a 5–1 victory against Elgin City with David scoring two goals.[8][9] Templeton went on to score 15 goals in his first season at Rangers.

Career statistics

As of 15 November 2014[10][11]
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stenhousemuir 2005–06 17810000020208
2006–07 13310200000163
Raith Rovers 2007–08 15410000010174
Heart of Midlothian 2008–09 300000000030
2009–10 16210000000172
2010–11 33[10]710200000367
2011–12 27131104000352
2012–13 210000210042
Rangers 2012–13 2415200000002615
2013–14 20343100041297
2014–15 13300002030183
Career Total 18347144608110122153

International career

Templeton has made two appearances each for Scotland at under-19 level and under-21 level.

Personal life

His father, ex-professional footballer Henry Templeton, who at the time of David's birth was playing for ex-Scotland manager, Ally MacLeod, at Ayr United. Henry's hero was Rangers and Scotland winger Davie Cooper and named his son after his hero. Henry was a small, skilful, tricky attacking player.[12]

In an interview in 2010 with The Scotsman, Templeton said of his childhood, "My dad left and I went to my mum's side who were all Celtic fans so I ended up following them. I got a bit of stick when I was younger but I obviously don't bother about the Old Firm any more."[13]

Personal awards

References

  1. ↑ The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-95485-561-1.
  2. ↑ "Hearts agree deal for Templeton". BBC Sport. 9 January 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
  3. ↑ Templeton moves to Kirkcaldy, BBC Sport, 2 January 2008.
  4. ↑ Further injury woes for Templeton, BBC Sport, 14 October 2009.
  5. ↑ Hearts 2–1 Celtic, BBC Sport, 20 December 2009.
  6. ↑ Jefferies feels Inverness were lucky, BBC Sport, 18 December 2010.
  7. ↑ JJ wants £15m for starlet, TeamTalk, 20 December 2010.
  8. ↑ "Rangers beat deadline to sign Hearts winger David Templeton". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Rangers 5–1 Elgin". BBC Sport. 2 September 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Soccerway Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  11. ↑ "David Templeton Soccerbase stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  12. ↑ http://thesun.mobi/thescottishsun/sport/spl/3217888/My-boy-was-named-after-Coop.html?mob=1
  13. ↑ "Interview: David Cooper Templeton, Hearts winger"
  14. ↑ "November 2010 award". Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  15. ↑ "December 2010 award". Retrieved 3 March 2011.

External links