Hearts: T & T ready to explode in Ibrox opener

The winger regards Mehdi Taouil, Hearts' most recent signing, as something of a special talent with whom he hopes to wreak havoc within the Rangers defence.

Regardless of whether Lee Wallace lines up for the opposition, Templeton is confident of an upset on the opening day. Both he and Taouil share a similar footballing philosophy and have struck up an instant on-field rapport during pre-season friendlies. Now, their mutually beneficial relationship goes under the microscope on the biggest stage as the SPL raises its curtain for season 2011/12.

Templeton believes catching Rangers cold in Glasgow is well within Hearts' capabilities. His link-up with Taouil could be central to that aim. Wingers thrive on regular ball supply, and for Templeton there is no better provider than the diminutive Moroccan internationalist who last month swapped Rugby Park for Tynecastle.

"Mehdi is very creative and we missed someone like that last season. I think that's good for me because I know he just likes to play football in central midfield," explained the Scot, speaking exclusively to the Evening News. "He likes to get the ball down. He spoke to me before the Antwerp game last weekend and said that if I have the ball I should come inside and play off him, play one-twos and things like that.

"Last season I didn't really have anyone to do that with. I like playing the ball inside and trying one-twos off someone. Last year when I went inside with the ball I was always coming into bodies and finding it difficult. Having Mehdi there will be really good for me. We've linked up already in pre-season games.

"Mehdi always looks for passes and through balls. I'm the same kind of player. I like to try and look for that killer pass. I'll be making plenty runs to try and get on the end of Mehdi's passes tomorrow."

Templeton will be looking for assistance from Taouil and others as he seeks to improve on last season's impressive form. In particular, he wants to reach double figures in the scoring charts having last scored a competitive goal back in December 2010.

"I want to get off to a good start but this season I'm looking more for consistency," said Templeton, who finished the campaign with seven goals. "I need to play well every week rather than just two or three months at a time. If I can get that sorted then I can have a good season. Every year you want to do better than the last.

"I've got different targets this season. I want to reach double figures, which I never managed last year. I want to play more games as well.When you do play, you need to do really well to stay in the team. It's good to have that competition because if you don't play well someone is going to take your place. That keeps you on your toes. It's certainly better for me to have that competition."

The arrivals of Taouil, John Sutton, Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger have replenished a Hearts squad bereft of the experienced Ruben Palazuelos and Ismael Bouzid, plus the promising Craig Thomson, from last year. Wallace's departure is less of a concern with Grainger in place to step in.

"I feel the squad is stronger now," continued Templeton, who admitted disappointment at the prospect of unsettled Spanish winger Suso leaving. "I would actually rather he stayed. I think Suso's a cracking player and it's only good if we have competition for each position.

"Bringing in Sutton, for example, has helped. Last season, when big Kevin Kyle got injured, was tough. We didn't have someone to fill in for him. Ryan Stevenson played there and did well but he isn't a striker. Having Sutton is good in case of any injuries to strikers.

"I found it tough playing against Jamie Hamill and Danny Grainger any time I came up against them. Those two bring great competition at full-back."

Researching tomorrow's opponents isn't something Templeton has had to spend excessive time on. He knows the SPL well now despite last season being his first as a regular in Hearts' senior side. Whether he finds himself up against Steven Whittaker, Sasa Papac or Wallace, he intends to inflict damage on Rangers at a time when they could be considered most vulnerable.

"Everybody is buzzing with the season about to start. Being away doing all the running over the summer, you just look forward to the games starting," he said. "Rangers away is a hard game to start the season with but I think it's probably the best time to get them, before they get into a winning habit. This is the best time to play them and maybe surprise them.

"Rangers are still a strong side but I think it's maybe better for us that they haven't strengthened too much over the summer. Their fans were expecting them to bring in some players for the season starting and they haven't really done that. That could help us.

"I haven't played against Papac, I think he's probably the better player defensively.

"Whittaker likes to go forward a lot so, against Rangers, I prefer to play left side. If Whittaker is attacking I like to exploit it if he gets caught up the pitch."

Memories of Hearts' last appearance at Ibrox are sufficiently fresh in the mind to act as a source of motivation ahead of tomorrow. May's 4-0 reverse saw the visitors punished for slack defending.

"We'll need to work harder as a team and not give away silly goals like we did last time," said Templeton. "We actually started well and had a couple of chances to take the lead. I should have scored in that game to put us 1-0 up.We need to start well and keep it going for the full game this time. We know we can cause them problems."

The double T combination of Templeton and Taouil may mean trouble with a capital T for Rangers.