Falkirk

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Falkirk are still missing Leon McCann with a knock along with long-term absentees Lewis Neilson (ankle), Coll Donaldson (abdomen), Tom Lang (foot), Aidan Nesbitt (foot) and Jamie Sneddon (hernia).

Killie are assessing two unnamed players following Wednesday's defeat by Aberdeen. Goalkeeper Max Stryjek (medical issue), Lewis Mayo (calf), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee), Marley Watkins (heel) and Matty Kennedy (hip) are out.

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Falkirk boss John McGlynn insists his players must "bin" their 4-0 loss to Celtic and take clear minds into Saturday's Premiership visit of Kilmarnock.

"When Celtic are so sharp and so quick, it's a little bit of a struggle for us when they're playing at top level," McGlynn told Falkirk TV.

"When they turn the ball over, they're after you. You don't get enough time on the ball, and that's when you can be caught out of position. When you're caught out of position, you're open and you can lose goals.

"One to bin, one to absolutely bin.

"We make sure that doesn't cause us any damage. We'll look to the Kilmarnock game now on Saturday. A quick turnaround for everyone. We're all in the same boat. It's up to us to be prepared and ready for the game on Saturday.

"It's not going to define our season. We're not going to be competing for first and second in the league."

Promoted Falkirk currently sit seventh, two points ahead of Kilmarnock, after the opening 10 games.

"We're going to be competing with three or four teams that we can't get near, but the other ones we can get near," McGlynn said.

"That's where we've got to be looking towards Saturday at home. Kilmarnock are a very, very good side. That's where our attention now goes to."

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• This will be Falkirk's first top-flight meeting with Kilmarnock since a goalless draw in May 2010; the Bairns have won just one of their past seven games against Killie at this level (D4 L2), a 2-1 victory in December 2009.

• During Falkirk's last spell in the top flight (2005-06 to 2009-10), Kilmarnock lost none of their eight away league games against them (W4 D4), most recently winning 1-0 in February 2010.

• Falkirk picked up their first home win of the top-flight season last time out when beating Dundee 1-0 – they last won back-to-back home games in the Scottish Premiership in September 2008, beating Hearts and Hamilton under John Hughes.

• Kilmarnock have lost their last their past three league games, last going on a longer losing streak when suffering eight straight Scottish Premiership defeats between January and February 2021. Killie last did so under the same manager in December 2020 under Alex Dyer (run of five).

• Kilmarnock have won just two of their 10 Scottish Premiership games under Stuart Kettlewell (D4 L4), the same number his two predecessors Tommy Wright and Derek McInnes managed at the same mark – both of those managers won their 11th game however, with the last Killie boss to win as few as two of his first 11 matches being Lee Clark in 2016 (2).

Falkirk are trying to seal a deal to bring Ryan Edwards back to the Scottish Premiership after the 32-year-old former Dundee United centre-half left Indian Super League club Chennaiyin. (Daily Record), external

Watch highlights as Celtic mark Martin O'Neill's first match as interim boss by overwhelming Falkirk 4-0 in the Scottish Premiership. (UK only).

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Falkirk boss John McGlynn tells BBC Scotland: "For 30 minutes I thought our guys played really well. The longer the half went, the more we were having to defend and then lose two goals and have a mountain to climb.

"This match won't define our season. We won't be fighting for the first four positions. We've got a huge game against Kilmarnock on Saturday and that's more important. We just need to bin this game.

"We freshened things up for this one and we'll freshen it up again at the weekend.

"We've only dropped one position in the league, so not too much damage done."

Celtic defeated Falkirk 4-0 as the Bairns slipped out of the top six.

Have your say on the game.

• This will be Martin O'Neill's first league game in charge of Celtic since 'Helicopter Sunday' - the final day of the 2004-05 season - when a late 2-1 defeat at Motherwell handed the title to Rangers.

• O'Neill's only previous meeting with Falkirk was an 8-1 League Cup win in September 2004.

• Celtic are unbeaten in 14 meetings with Falkirk in all competitions (W12 D2) since a 1-0 league defeat in March 2007 under Gordon Strachan. This will be the first league game between the two clubs since March 2010, when Celtic won 2-0 under Tony Mowbray.

• Falkirk have lost 14 of their past 16 away games at Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 2-0 victory in October 1994 under Jim Jefferies. They did draw their last league game at Celtic Park 1-1 in January 2010, though.

• Celtic have won 17 of their past 18 league games against newly-promoted opponents (D1) since a 2-1 defeat to Hearts in July 2021. At home, the Parkhead club have won each of their past 13 league games against promoted sides by an aggregate score of 46-4.

• Celtic have lost just one of their past 77 home league games against sides other than Old Firm rivals Rangers (W66 D10), going down 2-0 to Hearts in December 2023.

• Falkirk have won two of their four away league games this season (L2); during their last top-flight campaign (2009-10) the Bairns only won three of their 19 away games across the entire season (D7 L9).

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Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers underwent Achilles surgery this week after joining Jota (knee) as a long-term absentee.

Daizen Maeda could return for Martin O'Neill's first game back in charge but Alistair Johnston and Kelechi Iheanacho both remain on the sidelines with hamstring injuries.

Falkirk welcome back Ethan Ross after more than two-and-a-half months out injured, but Lewis Neilson (ankle), Coll Donaldson (abdomen), Tom Lang (foot), Aidan Nesbitt (foot) and Jamie Sneddon (hernia) remain sidelined along with Leon McCann.

Caleb Akpo-Young
BBC Sport Scotland

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John McGlynn does not believe Celtic's new caretaker management team of Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney will have time to implement any major changes before Falkirk visit on Wednesday.

The Bairns will be the first team to face Celtic since it was announced on Monday that Brendan Rodgers had resigned.

Falkirk boss McGlynn, who was a scout for Celtic during Rodgers' first spell at Parkhead, said: "The only difference will be that Brendan Rodgers is not in the dugout. I don't think that changing manager will have a big difference on the team, basically because Shaun's only had today to do something with them.

"I don't suppose he would have had anything to do with it yesterday [Monday] so they've got one training session, not an awful lot of time, to organise the team in a different way.

"Our preparation regarding Celtic was going to be difficult anyway because I think they will have one eye on the game on Sunday [League Cup semi-final against Rangers] which is a huge game.

"Obviously they don't want to fall any further back in the league, but between playing Falkirk and playing Rangers in a semi-final, I think that's the game that's absolutely huge for them.

"And so whether they rest players or whatever, no matter who the manager was, that would have been something that we've been trying to overcome all week.

"But I don't think the style is going to change because I don't think Shaun will have any time to do that.

"I don't think they have the players to come in who would change the way they can play, and by that I mean it's not like they're going to produce a 6ft 5ins striker and kick the ball long to him."

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

It would be fair to say Falkirk are quickly establishing themselves as the comeback kings of the Scottish Premiership.

Mental strength is an important quality at any level of football, and it is something John McGlynn's team have in abundance.

This was exemplified in our 2-1 victory over Dundee on Saturday where we found ourselves 1-0 down at half-time before coming from behind to claim our maiden home win of the season.

That was also the case at Fir Park the previous weekend, not to mention we have fought back to earn points against Dundee United, Hibs and Rangers this term.

In fact, that resilience and fighting spirit has been part of our identity since we completed an invincible campaign in League One, and it was also on display during our Championship triumph last term.

While that knack for having a consistent ability to rally when losing is a priceless one, you can't help but feel it is unsustainable, particularly in the top tier.

McGlynn has said as much in his press conferences in recent weeks, often emphasising his eagerness to see us get in front in matches - something we have only managed to do in one of our opening nine league games.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Who else for the Bairns?

Connor Allan: First start of the season for a player who came through the ranks at Rangers and spent last season with Kelty Hearts. Showed sublime skill to slalom his way into the Dundee box before finishing perfectly in the 89th minute to deliver Falkirk their first home win of the season.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Falkirk's resilience after coming from behind to win a game for the second week in a row.

Watch highlights as Falkirk came from behind to secure a late victory over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Kenny Crawford
BBC Sport Scotland

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If Connor Allan is what John McGlynn can find when the defenders cupboard is supposed to be empty, then Falkirk might be onto something in terms of Premiership consolidation.

As the Bairns boss bemoaned "bare bones" at the back, there was a pre-match spike in search engine investigations into this 21-year-old former Rangers youth player deemed to be the solution, who was surely going to have a nervy afternoon keeping Celtic slayers Dundee at bay.

A couple of hours later, the stop-gap had staked his claim for being one of the first names on Falkirk team-sheets of the future.

"I picked up the ball and just kept driving with it," said Allan as he explained his 89th minute winner against Dundee to BBC Scotland post-match.

"It all opened up for me and I managed to slot it into the net. What a moment; it was a brilliant win for the team and to get that goal just topped off a really good day.

"I just want to keep pushing on, make more appearances in the Premiership and establish my name."

He can probably tick off the establishing his name bit after that incredible goal.

With the dearth of other defenders at the moment, it's likely Allan will start midweek and therein lies his next test; coping in the cauldron of Celtic Park.

Longer term, his versatility might prove key in keeping those first-team starts flowing.

"All last season on loan at Kelty Hearts I played in midfield," said Allan.

"I feel like I can always help the team out, whether it's centre-back, centre-midfield or I can play right-back as well.

"I can play in a lot of positions and thankfully the gaffer gave me a chance today. Hopefully I can get more chances, moving forward."

We asked for your views on Falkirk's 2-1 win against Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Kenny: Thought we were poor first half, lacking cutting edge and trying too hard to walk it into goal. Second half we were much better and more clinical in both passing and we pressed a lot better. The second goal was an absolute peach.

Ross: We seem to be something of a second half team at the moment, which is slightly concerning. However, if our centre halves can turn into prime Maradona and grab all three points in the end then who cares?!

Allan: Punching above their weight. Hope they can keep it up. John McGlynn has done a great job.

Paul: Two weeks in a row having a poor start but a turnaround in the second half. Bring on the Celtic!

Nathan: Down a few players going into this one. Step up Connor Allan with a great performance at centre-back and a phenomenal goal to add to that. Delighted to get six points from the past two games, overall a fantastic result for us before Celtic on Wednesday.

Back-up centre-back Connor Allan scored a stunning 90th-minute goal on his first Falkirk start to complete a brilliant turanround against Dundee and hand his side a first home Scottish Premiership win of the season.

Share your views on Falkirk's victory..

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "I'm absolutely delighted, we had to do it the hard way coming from behind again.

"It's nice to get it done [first home win], it's back-to-back wins after Motherwell last week.

"What can you say about Connor Allan's goal? It was absolutely incredible. It'll be goal of the week, if not goal of the month, season or whatever.

"It's his first start for us. We spoke about the amount of centre-backs we've got injured and the young boy has come in and done magnificently well.

"I couldn't believe the goal he scored. He'll be lucky if scores a better goal in his whole career.

"The resilience, character, and spirit of the players to fight back once again. I'm still left in doubt what's going to happen when we go in front."

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Falkirk lost another centre-back this week as Lewis Neilson suffered a major ankle injury to join Coll Donaldson (abdomen) and Tom Lang on the sidelines.

Fellow long-term absentees Aidan Nesbitt (foot), Ethan Ross (ankle) and Jamie Sneddon (hernia) remain out along with Leon McCann.

Billy Koumetio has returned to training to give Dundee a full complement of players. Paul Digby picked up a knock in training but should be fit.

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John McGlynn expects Dundee "to be pragmatic and try to deny" Falkirk when the sides meet on Saturday.

Bairns boss McGlynn worked with Dundee counterpart and ex-Falkirk manager Steven Pressley at Hearts and the latter masterminded a 2-0 win over champions Celtic last weekend.

"Dundee are off the back of an amazing result," said McGlynn. "I know Steven very well from working with him at Hearts.

"The way he set up against Celtic was different class, everything you would expect from a defensive-minded coach in terms of organising a team.

"I'm not sure exactly if they're going to come here and do the exact same, or if they've got some kind of tweak in it, but I don't think they'll be expansive and open.

"I think they'll want to be pragmatic and try to deny us and hit us on the counter-attack, as they did against Celtic."

Pressley briefly assisted McGlynn in caretaker charge of Hearts in 2005.

"He was always a talker on the game," said McGlynn.

"He's obviously very opinionated and he would always be talking about the game and what he would do, what formation he would play back in the day. So, yeah, it was a certainty that he would be involved in coaching and management, that was a gimme."

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• This is the first time Falkirk and Dundee have met in the top flight since a 1-0 win for the Bairns in March 1993.

• Dundee have won their past two league games against newly-promoted opponents, last winning three in a row against such sides in the top flight in August 2000.

• Falkirk have drawn five of their past six home games in the top flight (L1), including three of four games this season.

• After their 2-0 victories over Celtic, Dundee could earn back-to-back wins in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since March 2024.

• Against Motherwell last time out, Scott Arfield scored his first top-flight league goal for Falkirk since May 2010 against St Mirren, 15 years and 170 days beforehand. It was the longest gap between Scottish top-flight goals by a player for a specific side since Charlie Mulgrew for Dundee United in October 2021 (15y 247d since his last).