Falkirk

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

Defeat at home to St Mirren felt like our first harsh lesson since returning to the top flight.

While we held our own for the most part before being undone by fine margins in the second half, St Mirren were the smarter team on the day.

Stephen Robinson's side managed to keep our most creative players at bay, and ultimately demonstrated what it takes to grind out wins in the top tier.

To be fair, that is something the Saints have long been accustomed to doing at this level, whereas John McGlynn and his players are still acclimatising to their new surroundings.

Now, this is not to say I think Falkirk should sacrifice the aesthetically-pleasing brand of football that has brought them this far. Far from it. However, we do need to show a shrewder side in games to be on a par with our opposition.

McGlynn said as much post-match when asked about the decisive goal: "We maybe lacked a little bit of experience in that sense - St Mirren would never concede that second goal up their end."

While there are no hard and fast rules for how to survive in the Scottish Premiership, Saturday's defeat showed we may have to become more streetwise to give ourselves the best possible chance of survival.

Watch all the highlights as St Mirren avoided a late scare to beat Falkirk 2-1 in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Falkirk's 2-1 defeat at home to St Mirren.

Here's what some of you said...

John: First goal an unfortunate deflection. The second was slack defending. We have to toughen up. Out-muscled yet again.

Kev: Falkirk need to up their game considerably if they are to stay in the division. They are too hesitant in attack, too lightweight in midfield and too slow in defence, especially centrally.

Cal: Can't help thinking we could have done with the new signings on the pitch earlier and we may have taken something from the game. To my mind, you play your best players from the start, not 10 minutes from the end. The Falkirk substitutions were simply too late on the pitch to make a big impact.

Ellis: I don't think we are far away. Lots of positives and we were competitive for large parts of the game. Just need to take our chances when on top and it'll be golden.

Despite a solid start in their first top-flight season in 15 years, a late header from substitute Brian Graham was not enough for Falkirk to snatch a draw against St Mirren.

Share your thoughts on the game.

Image source, SNS

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "Mixed emotions really. We competed and played very well. We've lost two cheap goals, but unfortunate with the deflection from the free kick.

"We switch off at the throw in, which has cost us. Throughout the game we matched St Mirren who are a very good side and very good at what they do.

"We're still finding our feet a little bit playing against teams at this level. So I take belief that for long spells you wouldn't have known we've just come out the Championship.

"We should probably have taken something from the game, so we need to learn very quickly that concentration levels have got to be spot on for every moment."

Image source, SNS

Falkirk could include new signings Ethan Williams, Filip Lissah and Sam Hart for the first time.

But Kyrell Wilson, Aidan Nesbitt, Ethan Ross, Jamie Sneddon, Tom Lang, Finn Yeats, Coll Donaldson and Barney Stewart are all set to miss out.

Conor McMenamin (calf) and Liam Donnelly (Achilles) have both have returned to training but this weekend could be too soon for the St Mirren duo.

Fellow midfielder Killian Phillips and defender Richard King will be assessed following their international duties.

Image source, SNS

Falkirk left-back Leon McCann wants to prove he belongs in the Premiership after grafting for years in the lower leagues to earn his "dream" top-flight chance.

The 25-year-old spent the first five season of his career in League One with Airdrie and then Falkirk before stepping up to the Championship.

Following a second consecutive promotion with the Bairns, McCann has made manager John McGlynn's starting XI in each of their three Premiership matches so far.

"I was at this club when we were sixth in League One, so for me to still be here in the Premiership, it's huge," McCann said.

"It's always been a dream to play in the top league in Scotland, so I'm just happy that I've been able to do that. I want to play as many games as possible in the Premiership.

"You always have that belief that one day you'll play in the Premiership, but when I was in League One for four or five years straight, you're going 'I don't know if this will happen'.

"Obviously, with how quick we've turned this round as a team, it's now become a reality. We all want to stay here for as many seasons as possible, because you reap the rewards with things like the international break as well as getting the exposure for everybody here.

"I've been here when it's been the lowest of the lows at this club, so we're cherishing every moment."

Falkirk host St Mirren on Saturday, having won their first Premiership game in more than 15 years in their last match away to Aberdeen.

"For a lot of the boys it was their first win in the Premiership, so the feeling was amazing," said McCann.

"We didn't want it to be a case of 'when's Falkirk's first win going to happen?', and the longer that goes, the more pressure builds, so the fact we were able to get the monkey off our back was a huge relief as well as sheer elation for everybody involved."

Image source, SNS

Manager John McGlynn says St Mirren are "the benchmark" for Falkirk as he looks to establish the Bairns as a Premiership club.

St Mirren, who travel to the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday, are in their eighth consecutive Premiership campaign and have finished in the top half of the table for the past three years under Stephen Robinson.

"St Mirren are the benchmark as a football club for us," McGlynn said.

"They got promoted in 2017-18 and they've been in the league ever since.

"In that time they've been able to grow the football club, they've got a great youth system going. They've got their own training ground that's probably been built on a little bit over the years with more money, and that's exactly where we want to be.

"Obviously the manager has got top six the last three seasons and got them into Europe. If we can be in the Premiership seven years from now, then this football club will be in an amazing place, so they are the benchmark."

Looking ahead to Saturday's Premiership clash, McGlynn feels his squad are in a great place to challenge the Buddies.

Kyrell Wilson, who scored on his debut against Aberdeen last time out, misses the game with an ankle knock but Falkirk's four other recent signings are all in contention.

"We brought five players in in the last few days of the window, all players that were kind of pigeon-holed for exactly what we required," McGlynn added.

"Kyrell certainly hit the ground running and it was good to get Ethan [Williams], Sam [Hart] and big Trey [Ogunsuyi] in the door, and Filip [Lissah] looks a very good player.

"We got all the positions that we wanted, so the squad's really, really strong now."

Image source, SNS

• This will be the first top-flight clash between Falkirk and St Mirren since a 1-1 draw in May 2010; the Bairns are unbeaten in their past three games against the Buddies at this level (W1 D2).

• St Mirren have only lost one of their past five top-flight away games at Falkirk (W3 D1), a 2-1 defeat in April 2010.

• After their 1-0 victory over Aberdeen, Falkirk could win back-to-back top-flight matches without conceding for the first time since December 2007.

• St Mirren have drawn five of their past six league matches (L1), with three of those finishing 1-1. Overall, the Buddies have lost just one of their last 10 in the Scottish Premiership (W3 D6).

• St Mirren have scored just two goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, which is their fewest after four matches in the top flight since the 2019-20 season (also two).

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

I think I speak for most Bairns fans when I say that I'm looking forward to finally getting back to the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday.

A combination of the League Cup, a postponement and an international break means that 40-plus days will have come and gone since the team last took to the field in front of their own supporters.

Five new arrivals since then have given our squad an injection of much-needed freshness, and Saturday's clash with St Mirren is our first opportunity to get a proper good look at some or all of the new recruits.

While many fans - myself included - were perhaps hoping to see some players with Scottish Premiership experience come through the door, our new signings all being unknown quantities in varying degrees does add an extra layer of excitement for what is to come in the weeks and months ahead.

John Hughes made good use of similar markets during our last spell in the top flight, with the likes of Anthony Stokes, Kasper Schmeichel and Patrick Cregg all enjoying fruitful spells at the Falkirk Stadium after making the move north of the border.

If any of our new arrivals prove to be of the same ilk as the aforementioned trio, then our late flurry of transfer activity will have been well worth waiting for.

Image source, SNS

Falkirk are estimating the change to grass from an artificial playing surface will cost £1.2m after reaching a "tough but necessary agreement with the SPFL".

The governing body recently granted the newly-promoted Premiership side permission to keep their pitch next season should they avoid relegation.

The surface was laid in 2023 before a rule change phasing out Astroturf in the top flight.

A club statement said it was "a difficult compromise to make", going on to thank SPFL pair Neil Doncaster and Callum Beattie for their "cooperation and creativity".

"A package of funding and exemptions was negotiated that will see the transition, should we remain in the Premiership beyond next season, come with a smoother financial landing," it reads.

"The club will still need to raise significant funding which we will need to be creative about."

Falkirk go on to say they hope "similar flexibility is shown to other clubs in a comparable situation", adding: "Scottish football is not well-served by placing further barriers in front of aspirational, community clubs."

Image source, Getty

Sam Hart adds "real quality and depth" to the Falkirk squad, says manager John McGlynn, after the defender joined on a season-long loan from Port Vale.

The 28-year-old made 22 appearances last term as Port Vale won promotion to League One.

Hart, who spent time in the youth academies at Manchester United and Liverpool, has previously played for Blackburn, Southend, Shrewsbury, Oldham and Sutton United.

"We're delighted to bring Sam to Falkirk, he's a player with great experience and real versatility," said McGlynn.

"He's someone who can operate at left-back and at left centre-half, which gives us valuable options as we go through the season.

"He likes to get up and down the flank and we know he'll add real quality and depth to the squad."

We asked for your views on Falkirk's business in the transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Paul: Good window in terms of quality, but still concerned about the quantity. Currently with seven injured, being the smallest squad in the division might end up being an issue.

Donna: Well done everyone at FFC for securing the future of our club in the Premiership. Looking forward to some exciting football.

Frazer: Looks like the Bairns have strengthened the areas that were lacking. Whether or not it's enough remains to be seen. However, after the last couple of seasons I think you've got to have faith in John McGlynn.

Neil: Very happy with who we have brought in, they all look like they will play a big part in the coming season and getting Ethan Williams was an absolute coup. Confident we can have a good season, in John we trust COYB.

John: Some good young players wanting to impress and progress at a club that encourages development. Come new year when some (or maybe all) established players are fit, the competition for places will be interesting.

Tommy: Very happy with the signings that Falkirk has made, especially with the key players that are out for mouths. Well done the management team.

Colin: Could have done with another defender in. We were supposedly after two. Maybe pick up a free agent to help bolster the squad.

David: Would have been nice to see an experienced ball-winning midfielder come in. But lots of pace and potential in the new arrivals. So let's see how they settle in.

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

"A week is a long time in football." It's one of the game's oldest cliches, but those words ring truer than ever as far as Falkirk are concerned.

This time last week, many fans - myself included - were getting twitchy and impatient with each passing day at the club's lack of transfer activity.

On top of that, some supporters were beginning to fear we might not have enough quality to compete in the top flight.

Fast forward to the close of the transfer window, and all of a sudden things are looking much rosier.

A trio of loan recruits - Kyrell Wilson, Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi and Ethan Williams - were brought in before our weekend trip to Aberdeen, and Filip Lissah then arrived on deadline day.

The cherry on top of the cake was the Bairns bagging their first Scottish Premiership victory in 15 years courtesy of a 1-0 win at Pittodrie, with Wilson making an instant impact by scoring the only goal.

While one swallow doesn't make a summer, it would be fair to say a maiden top-flight triumph of the season and a flurry of activity on the transfer front has most certainly flipped the mood music at the Falkirk Stadium.

Falkirk completed their transfer business with another raid on Swansea City on deadline day to land defender Filip Lissah on loan.

That took the Bairns' haul to eight new arrivals as they attempt to stay in the Scottish Premiership this season after a 15-year absence.

So with the window now closed, are you pleased with the club's transfer business? Does it leave the squad in good shape for the season ahead - or is John McGlynn light in certain positions?

Share your thoughts here.

Image source, Getty Images

Falkirk have signed defender Filip Lissah from Swansea City on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old signed his first professional contract at the Welsh side in November 2022.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn said: "We're delighted to bring in Filip, he's a versatile defender that can play at centre back and the full back areas.

"We're short right now and are only one injury away from being at the bare bones at the back, so he gives us that cover we need in those positions.

"He's a ball playing defender who has great energy and drive. He reads the game well, but also does well defending situations, which is equally important.

"He joins on a season long loan with a view of developing as a player, and there's no better place to do that than here at Falkirk Football Club."

We asked for your thoughts on Falkirk's Premiership win over Aberdeen.

Here's what you had to say:

Fraser: What a team performance. Henry Cartwright shut them down in the middle of the park, his best game so far. Scott Bain saved us first half, and we were different class second half. Our new-look attack could give some teams real problems. Great time to be a Bairn.

Nathan: Couldn't be prouder of the players and absolutely over the moon to pick up our first three points of the season. Delighted for Kyrell Wilson with his debut goal as well - hopefully this can be the start of something special.

Ian: Good win. I have to say the graciousness of the Dons fans post-match was great. They have quality and will do OK when they get going. For us these are valuable points in staying up.

Andy: Falkirk can only get better by playing against better teams, once they get to grips with the Premiership I'm sure they will be fine.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Kyrell Wilson enjoyed the "perfect debut" for Falkirk, scoring the only goal in Sunday's win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Wilson, 20, came off the the bench in the second half to earn the visitors their first top flight victory in 15 years.

"Before the game the manager was talking about how we go out there and we win, how it is going to be massive for us to build on.

"Now people know what we are about."

It was quite the impact from the winger who arrived at Falkirk on a season-long loan from Swansea City last week.

Explaining how the move north came about, Wilson told BBC Scotland: "I was just in bed, chilling, I get a text 'it is done you are going to Falkirk'.

"I came down, got myself set and now we are here, I scored on my debut so I couldn't be happier.

"I think I have done two sessions but it is a good group of lads and I feel comfortable, so I didn't need much time."

"It is a good side, they play football, it suits my style, and they have looked into that as well so for me it feels like the right choice."

Watch all the highlights from Falkirk's 1-0 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie as the hosts picked up their first top-flight win in 15 years.

UK users only.

Falkirk want to land 20-year-old right-back Aaron James on loan from Wrexham. (Daily Record), external

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United winger Ethan Williams has joined Falkirk on loan after signing a new contract at Old Trafford.

The 19-year-old has agreed a deal that will run until 2028, with the option of a further year.

Williams spent the second half of last season with Cheltenham Town in English League Two, scoring twice in 17 games.

He featured in United's summer friendlies, netting in a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth in Chicago.

Falkirk manager John McGlynn said the teenager is "quick, direct, and has an eye for goal".

The Bairns boss added: "He's a young player of real quality who has been developed in one of the best academies in the world.

"Ethan is a player we've had our eye on for some time, we were chasing this deal since before the window even opened. It's been a long road getting him to Falkirk with plenty of twists and turns along the way, but we always felt it was worth persevering with and we're delighted to finally get it over the line."

Image source, BBC Sport

New loan signing Kyrell Wilson's second half strike secured Falkirk their first Scottish Premiership win in 15 years against a 10-man Aberdeen, who faced their third league loss in as many matches this season.

Read the full match report

Have your say here