LUKE RANKIN was left sitting on cloud nine after he scored two late goals to help Alloa topple Premiership giants St Johnstone.
The youngster carried on his electric form from pre-season with two superb finishes from each side of the posts on Tuesday evening.
Rankin caught the ball out wide for his first, with St Johnstone’s Josh Rae coming well off his line before retreating.
Caught facing an empty goal, the 19-year-old shot, with the ball rolling over the line to give the Wasps a 2-1 lead after Morgyn Neill had scored the first earlier on.
Just five minutes later, Rankin went one on one with Rae and saw his initial shot stopped but Rankin recovered quicker than the keeper, running wide and sending a similar effort into an open goal.
“I’m over the moon,” Rankin said. “I can’t quite describe it, I’m just so happy to score two goals against a Premiership team after coming back from loan.
“All I wanted to do was get back in the team and score goals.
“I should score [my second] but when he blocks it, he makes a really good save and my first thought is to see who’s in the box for a tap in.
“I have that look over my shoulder and there’s a man back a wee bit but the goal is open and my only thought is to go and hit the target.
“I get composed and hit and it goes in the back of the net.”
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This was Rankin’s biggest test since coming back from his loan spell at East Stirling, after having impressed during pre-season.
Rankin grabbed four goals in as many pre-season appearances throughout June and July and was given the nod to lead the line against Brechin.
There, he won the penalty for the first goal and scored the third, with Andy Graham keeping faith in him for St Johnstone.
Rankin felt he adapted well to the challenge and looked to utilise his time at East Stirling to his advantage.
He continued: “Playing against Premiership players especially tonight is a big jump but I think I did alright tonight.
“Bar the goals, I thought I played quite well and it’s just about using what I’ve learned on loan.
“The physicality hasn’t changed, it’s still playing against older boys but the technique and ability is different.
“You’ve got to try and pick your moment as to when rather than just trying to run through – it’s just the quality is different.”
Alloa’s win on Tuesday has left the Wasps in good stead heading into the last game of the cup group stage against Greenock Morton.
A win there would see Alloa finish top of the group, with Rankin and the team full of confidence from their victory over the Saints.
“Hopefully go to Morton on Saturday and hopefully win again,” Rankin added. “Ideally, a couple more goals for me but the most important thing is win the game, top the group and get us through.
“The League starts a week on Saturday and that’ll put us in a strong position and see where it takes us.
“We’ve got all the confidence and think we can go there and win.”
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