ALLOA goal hero Connor McManus says he will learn from his rollercoaster substitute appearance in the 2-2 draw with Queen of the South last weekend.

The on-loan Celtic midfielder conceded a penalty within minutes of coming onto the field to gift the Doonhamers their first equaliser, but he went from zero to hero when he then finished off a wonderful move to score his first professional goal to put the Wasps back in front.

The talented teenager now hopes he has done enough to earn a place in the starting line up for Alloa's visit to face Rangers at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday for their live Sky TV clash.

McManus told Advertiser sport: “I was really nervous after coming on and conceding the penalty. It was just one of those things where I thought I had beaten him to the ball, but when I turned he was right there and I caught him. It was a clear penalty, but I know I will learn from it. I could not have thought of a better response. It was a great team move and a brilliant ball from Steve Hetherington and all I had to do was step onto it, but I was still delighted to see it hit the back of the net. My plan was to try to get back into the team in time for the trip to Rangers. I played there earlier in the season, obviously we lost that day, but it was a great occasion and experience for me. It will be a massive crowd with them getting the trophy and these are the type of games you want to be involved in as a player. As a Celtic fan as well as a player, it is a place I want to go and do well at and hopefully the goal this week can give me a boost in confidence so you never know what can happen.”

McManus admits he is very thankful for the season at Alloa and hopes his experiences gained here will stand him in good stead for the future.

He said: “Alloa has been the perfect place for me development-wise. I wanted to come and play football at a professional level and it is a great club to play for. I am so thankful to have had the chance to come and play here. I have already played more games than I expected to when I first arrived. Obviously, as a team it has been a disappointing season with us being relegated, but from my own point of view to play well over twenty games for the club is very pleasing for me and the fans have been brilliant with me throughout so I have really enjoyed it here.”

The Wasps head to Ibrox this Sunday unbeaten in their last three games and the 19-year-old reckons they go there nothing to lose as they attempt to spoil their hosts' title party.

McManus added: “There has been plenty of upsets on these types of occasions so I don't see why we can't go there to try to do the same.

"We have been in good form over the last few games and so hopefully we can continue that with a decent performance on Sunday. We have no pressure on us though, so we will just go there to enjoy it and see what happens.”