Falkirk

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

Craig Sibbald was the toast of Falkirk last Monday when it was announced he had penned a pre-contract to return to the club in the summer.

This followed weeks of speculation we were looking to bring the self-confessed Bairn back home - making it all the more satisfying to see it confirmed.

It feels like the sort of transfer we simply wouldn't have been able to pull off this time last year.

That, in itself, speaks volumes about the position the club now finds itself in - one where we are capable of attracting players of Sibbald's calibre.

Of course, the emotional pull plays its part. He's one of our own, having come through the academy, and a local lad still based in the area. But even so, it's an encouraging sign of the direction we're heading.

It's also pleasing to see us getting our business under way early. That was a real bugbear for many Bairns fans last year, with so much of our recruitment dragged out until the final days of the summer transfer window.

By contrast, having survival comfortably secured with months to spare has allowed us to get ahead of the curve - something that simply wouldn't have been possible had our top-flight status still been hanging in the balance.

Here's hoping this is just the start, with more reinforcements to follow prior to what promises to be a busy summer rebuild at the Falkirk Stadium, particularly once the current crop of loanees move on.

On top of that, strong campaigns don't go unnoticed, so there is a lingering worry other clubs may be sniffing around some of our key players. Keeping hold of that core could prove just as important as any new additions.

St Mirren pick up three points against Falkirk and boost their Scottish Premiership survival battle (UK only).

Managerless St Mirren produced an upset to stun top-six hopefuls Falkirk and boost their chances of Scottish Premiership survival.

Read the match report here.

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "Good start, they make an error in defence and Barney's finish is really good, exactly where you want him to put the ball. I've seen them missed.

"But we didn't keep the lead for very long, we don't defend the set play particularly well. We give St Mirren some encouragement.

"We probably shaded the first half on territory, going towards their goal much more than the other way round and likewise in the second half. We were the team in the ascendancy.

"We were a threat, it looked like a goal would come and out the blue, St Mirren score. We got punished for a bit of an error, but we're aggrieved.

"Alex Gogic takes Filip Lissah out and goes into an offside position. There's a real inconsistency with decisions.

"We're disappointed. On some occasions we've got ourselves to blame. We're creating mistakes which are getting punished. We put a lot into the game, don't think we deserved to lose but we have done.

"We just have to lick our wounds and enjoy the international break, come back and be ready to end the season on a high."

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Falkirk's Kyrell Wilson and Ben Parkinson (both ankle), Ross MacIver and Louis Marsh, Liam Henderson and Ethan Williams (all thigh) are out.

St Mirren hope to have Mikael Mandron and Jayden Richardson involved while Declan John could feature despite needing hernia surgery at some stage.

Kion Etete is still out along with Conor McMenamin, Malik Dijksteel (both groin), Keanu Baccus (Achilles) and Marcus Fraser (shoulder).

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Full-back Leon McCann insists Falkirk aren't getting carried away with top-six talk until their position is mathematically confirmed.

The Bairns currently occupy sixth spot in the Premiership table and are nine points above Dundee United in seventh.

McCann joined Falkirk back in 2021 after leaving Airdrieonians and has been with the Bairns as they climbed through the divisions.

But the defender hasn't been surprised by Falkirk's impressive first season back in the top flight.

"I did tell a lot of people that my reason for signing with Falkirk was because I saw where the club could go if it just got out the wee bit of a rut it was in," he said.

"So I did imagine us being in the Premiership, because the club is massive and it was in the Premiership for so many years.

"However, I don't think I imagined this to do it the way we did, as invincibles, then straight up to the Premiership after one year in the Championship and now going for top six.

"I don't think anybody would have guessed that would happen in the space of three years or so.

"And so in some sense, I did think that at some point the club could be where we are now, but I just didn't think it would happen so quickly."

Falkirk are at home to St Mirren on Saturday afternoon before United travel to Celtic on Sunday lunchtime. John McGlynn's side will secure their top-six status with a victory tomorrow, regardless of the result at Parkhead.

A defeat for the Bairns and their wait for a top-six spot will continue, unless United also lose.

But McGlynn's men are not getting their hopes up just yet.

"No, not yet," he added when asked if a top-six finish was effectively in the bag.

"Not until it's mathematically over.

"We don't want to get stuck in that mindset of just coasting.

"We are here to win every game, take as many points as we can and obviously we have a semi-final coming up so we want to be in the best form we possibly can going into that.

"So until that's mathematically over, then we'll keep striving towards getting top six."

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• Since (and including) his hat-trick against Hibernian on 24 January, Falkirk's Barney Stewart has eight goal involvements in eight Scottish Premiership appearances (six goals, two assists), the most of any player in the competition in this time.

• After their 2-0 victory in January, Falkirk could win back-to-back top-flight meetings with St Mirren for the first time since February 2008.

• St Mirren have won six of their past nine away games at Falkirk in the top flight (D1 L2), including most recently in September (2-1).

• After only winning two of their opening nine home league matches of the season (D5 L2), Falkirk have since won four of six (L2).

• St Mirren's only away league win of this season was at Falkirk in September; the Buddies are winless in 12 on the road since (D3 L9), their longest winless away run in the top flight since going 20 without victory from November 2009 to October 2010.

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Former referee Steve Conroy thinks it is "mission creep" with VAR in Scottish football before new changes to the laws for the upcoming World Cup.

VAR was introduced in Scotland almost four years ago but has frequently been criticised by fans, players, managers and former players.

Now there could be more changes to the scope of technology as football's law-making body the International Football Association Board (Ifab) backed plans to increase the powers of VAR.

For this summer's World Cup in America, VAR will be allowed to intervene on second yellow cards and the awarding of corners, provided the process doesn't slow down the flow of play.

Ifab has also expanded the countdown rule around goalkeepers where they have eight seconds to release the ball from their hands to include goal kicks and throw-ins.

But former referee Conroy thinks involving the technology in more decision-making is bad news for the game.

"It's inescapable that there is more and more mission creep with VAR," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"The authorities seem hell-bent on using it more and more and relying on it and I think that is to the detriment of football.

"I know Ifab are talking about getting them involved for corners and second yellows and all that sort of stuff. As [Celtic interim manager] Martin O'Neill said, soon enough we'll just referee from a port-a-cabin somewhere.

"And this is all happening at the same time as every football supporter survey tells you that they just want it binned."

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

I think I speak for many Falkirk fans when I say we hope Stephen McGinn stays with the club, despite links to the managerial vacancy at St Mirren.

Midfielder McGinn was one of John McGlynn's first signings when he was appointed back in 2022 and quickly became central to our revival.

Among the early recruits, he helped restore discipline and stability after years of decline.

Even in his second season when his time on the pitch was limited, his off-field influence as club captain was vital in finally guiding the club out of League One at the fifth attempt - and doing so as Invincibles.

Last summer, his return as part of McGlynn's coaching staff was a major boost for everyone at the club.

McGinn remains hugely popular with both players and supporters, and many see him as a potential successor to McGlynn when the time inevitably comes.

Of course, few Bairns would begrudge McGinn the chance to take on a managerial role elsewhere - but for now, let's hope that day is still a long way off.

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Dundee United midfielder Craig Sibbald has agreed to return to Falkirk this summer after agreeing a pre-contract.

Sibbald, 30, started with the Bairns, making 274 appearances between 2011 and 2018, moving on to Livingston and then Dundee United in 2022.

"I'm very proud to be coming back home where it all started," Sibbald told Falkirk club media.

"This club means everything to me and I'm delighted to sign a deal to return to my boyhood team that I grew up supporting. I can't wait to put the Falkirk shirt on again and give everything for the badge.

"The opportunity to come back at this stage of my career feels right and I can't wait to get started next season.

"Once a bairn always a bairn."

And manager John McGlynn said: "He was very positive as soon as we got a chance to talk to him with regards to coming here and he showed real excitement and enthusiasm to be back at the football club.

"He's an outstanding central midfielder with real experience at the Premiership level for many years. He knows the league inside out and it's great we can continue to bring Scottish players to the football club, and not only that but a player who has been here previously, is from the local area and is absolutely desperate to pull a Falkirk jersey on and give his utmost for the football club.

"It isn't always possible and we often have to cast our net further afield but it's great to bring one of our own back to Falkirk."

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Left-back Leon McCann has signed a two-year extension to his Falkirk contract, running until 2028.

The 26-year-old has played 21 times in the Scottish Premiership this term after progressing to the top flight from the third tier with the Bairns.

Manager John McGlynn hailed "an outstanding season" from the defender, who has played more than 160 games for the club.

"We ask [our full-backs] to get forward and contribute, and especially in recent weeks that's really been paying off for Leon and for the team," McGlynn said.

"He progressed from League One into the Championship and, like a few others, there were probably questions about whether he could make that step up.

"I think Leon has definitely done that. He's excelled, and it's a tribute to him that he's performed so well. We're delighted to be working with him for a further two years."

Former Airdrieonians left-back McCann added: "I'm over the moon. It's been in the works for a wee bit and I'm buzzing to get it over the line.

"The club's been on an upwards trajectory for the past three years. I knew where this club could go, that's the reason I signed.

"I knew Falkirk was a sleeping giant, and now we're close to securing top six in our first season back in the Premiership, who knows where this club can go."

Sportscene pundit Stephen Craigan believes Falkirk striker Barney Stewart will go for big money in the summer and will be occupying Scotland head coach Steve Clarke's thoughts.

Stewart scored his sixth Premiership goal of the season - in just his 11th appearance - as Falkirk snatched a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie on Saturday.

"His all-round game has been top-notch," Craigan said.

"He's a real poacher, he's only 21 years of age and he puts himself between the goals and searches out chances.

"The number of goals he taps in - he's always alert. You're not always in the right place by lack. He has that knack.

"I think he will go for big money in the summer. There's probably other people ahead of him [for the national team], but if you're wanting someone raw, who has a goal in them and you're Scotland manager, you have a look at him."

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Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

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Jerome Prior - Livingston

Five saves at Easter Road are unlikely to save Livingston's season, but they brought a clean sheet and a point nonetheless.

Warren O'Hora - Hibernian

Another solid showing from the centre-back and a clean sheet.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

His character and class continues to help keep Celtic fighting for a league and cup double.

Michael Schjonning-Larsen - Kilmarnock

A huge goal against Hearts from the Estonian international to earn his Kilmarnock side a massive three points in their fight against relegation, and throw a massive spanner in the works of the Hearts title tilt.

Luca Stephenson - Dundee United

A brilliant, brave back-post header looked like it would give Dundee United all three points in the derby, but it wasn't to be.

Alex Gogic - St Mirren

If any player ever deserved the classic football hard man head bandage it's Alex Gogic. But the Cyprus international goes the extra mile.

With blood erupting from his head after a clash with a team-mate, there was no bandage required. Instead it took staples to stem the flow, topped off by a massive dollop of Vaseline. What a warrior.

He must be the most old-school player in the Premiership, and we love him for it. Great defensively against Rangers.

Nico Raskin - Rangers

Full of energy in the hurly-burly of midfield in poor conditions in Paisley. He delivered the assist for the vital goal.

Tuur Rommens - Rangers

Got high up the field to decisive effect as he sealed a big three points for Rangers.

Yang Hyun-Jun - Celtic

Two goals in a huge game to sink Motherwell. That is now six goals since Christmas for the South Korean international.

Barney Stewart - Falkirk

The young striker is brimming with belief after graduating to Premiership football. 16 goals now in all competitions for the 21-year-old - albeit half of them while on loan at Championship Dunfermline. Four goals in his last 3 games, huge potential.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Has brought a bit of X-factor to the Kilmarnock attack. Looks like a player who can ignite things for the Rugby Park side as they fight to get out of the play-off spot.

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Dundee United midfielder Craig Sibbald is set to return to Falkirk next season when his contract at Tannadice expires (Daily Record)., external

Stephen Robinson's debut as Dons manager ends in a 1-1 draw with Falkirk at Pittodrie.

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Stephen Robinson's departure has naturally led to speculation about who might be his successor as St Mirren manager.

Our reporter Chick Young said on Saturday's Sportsound programme that former Buddies midfielder Stephen McGinn is one name being considered by the board.

The 37-year-old, speaking on Sky Sports before St Mirren's match against Rangers, did not rule out taking the job, but admits his first-team coaching role under John McGlynn at Falkirk "would be a lot to walk away from".

He says it has "been a whirlwind with all the noise" on social media that has "came from nowhere" following Robinson's exit to Aberdeen.

"I always wanted to be a manager but wanted to learn my trade," McGinn said.

The former midfielder had two spells with the Buddies as a player, scoring 15 goals in 201 appearances for the club.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Falkirk striker Barney Stewart says he finally believes he belongs at the top level of Scottish football.

The 21-year-old netted an 89th minute equaliser in the Bairns' 1-1 Premiership draw at Aberdeen on Saturday.

Stewart, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Championship Dunfermline, has now scored a total of 16 goals this season.

It has been a remarkable rise for a player who arrived at Falkirk last term from East of Scotland League First Division side Heriot-Watt University.

"I think last season I wasn't really sure of myself if I deserved or belonged to be in the SPFL," he said.

"With the right people around you, the right leadership in the changing room, right managerial staff and obviously the right people around you outside of football I think it really spurred me on and let me really believe that I do deserve to be here.

"I think there are still a lot of areas in my game that I need to touch up on a little bit.

"But that will come especially with the right people around me, like I have got Brian [Graham] to learn off. He is always talking to me on the pitch when he came on, that was our first time on the pitch together.

"I am always trying to look to pick up little things that I can add to my game and hopefully it is starting to all come together."

Stephen Robinson's debut as Aberdeen head coach was ruined by an 88th-minute Falkirk equaliser, but John McGlynn's side will have to wait to have their Scottish Premiership top-six place confirmed.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts.

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn told BBC Scotland: "It's a fair result overall, don't think there was much in it and no one did enough to win it.

"They pressed very well, we expected that. We knew they'd run harder. That's where the mistake came from. It cost us a goal. Scott has saved us on many occasions.

"We showed great character and mentality to score the equaliser. A great ball in from Ethan Ross and a great header from Barney so I'm delighted to go down the road with a point.

"They worked harder and ran harder than they have done in a number of weeks. That is credit to them. Maybe we're just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"We're satisfied with a point considering we were a goal behind with not very long to go. The players kept going, the subs made a difference. Barney was a constant threat all day. Delighted for him to get another goal.

"We played some nice stuff at times and we were pleased at that. Any point up here, normally, is a good point. We've taken seven point from nine against Aberdeen and that's good going.

"[Barney] has been a revelation. Scored eight goals for Dunfermline and now, a good few for us. He's been amazing and long may it continue."