Falkirk

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After a 15-year wait, Falkirk's fixtures for a Scottish Premiership campaign are out.

The Bairns have to wait a little bit longer to kick off the season as they do so on Sunday, 3 August at home to Dundee United.

Then, there are a few familiar faces. A wee jaunt to Livingston the next Saturday is the first away day, while the big trip is Saturday, 30 August to Aberdeen.

John McGlynn returns to his former stomping ground, Tynecastle Park, on Saturday, 27 September to take on Hearts, while visits to Celtic Park and Ibrox round off October and November respectively.

And what about the festive schedule, you ask? A six-game December awaits, with away days either side of Christmas (Kilmarnock, 20 December and Dundee, 27 December) while 2025 is rounded off by the visit of Hearts on 30 December.

Falkirk end the pre-split campaign with a home game against Russell Martin's Rangers on Saturday, 11 April.

Looking at the fixtures, where do you think Falkirk will be 10 games into their top-flight return? Tell us here.

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Falkirk's first Scottish Premiership game in 15 years will be at home to Dundee United.

The match will take place on Sunday, 3 August at 14:00 BST, with the Bairns' first away fixture against fellow newly-promoted side Livingston on Saturday, 9 August at 15:00.

See Falkirk's Scottish Premiership fixtures in full here.

Where do you think John McGlynn's side will be after 10 games and what do you make of how the fixtures have fallen? Share your views here.

No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.

That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.

This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.

The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

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Falkirk have added a fourth friendly, at home to fourth-tier Edinburgh City on Saturday 28 June (14:00 BST), to their pre-season schedule.

John McGlynn's top-flight newcomers also host Northern Irish side Larne on Monday 23 June (12:30) and Raith Rovers on Saturday 5 July (15:00) before visiting St Johnstone three days later (19:30).

Falkirk kick off the new campaign on 12 July with a trip to face Brechin City in Group A of the Premier Sports Cup.

New Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain says he left Celtic a year before the end of his contract because the 33-year-old wanted his fiance and son to see him play first-team football. (STV), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

We asked for your views on what Falkirk's priorities should be in this summer's transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Fraser: We need a couple of defenders and a midfielder. Former bairn Murray Wallace is out of contract at Millwall. He'd be good to bring back. Could do with a left-back too such as Stephen Kingsley, and while we're at it might as well bring Jay Fulton home as well!

Ryan: We need a solid spine that has experience of Premiership football. A new centre-half, centre-midfielder and another striker to compliment Brian Graham. Also feel an upgrade at left-back is needed for us to compete.

Nathan: The key thing we are going to need to survive the season and most importantly stay up is depth, we need to get some centre-backs brought in as Coll Donaldson and Tom Lang are a bit injury prone and also need to add some midfield depth. Should we lose Brad Spencer to injury at any point this season we could be in real trouble in midfield, but in general strength in depth will be key.

Robert: We likely need a centre-half to maintain depth after Luke Graham has returned to Dundee, though would like him back! We could do with another central midfielder, again mostly for depth. Most importantly we need some experience to add to the mix, the lads have been phenomenal the last couple of seasons but next season is another level.

David: Now need another centre-back and midfielder to complete an upgrade to the spine of the team. Some of our youngsters will go out on loan. John McGlynn gets more right than he gets wrong.

Ian: We have signed Scott Bain and Brian Graham which is decent, still think we need a couple more, central defender, Luke Graham, who we had on loan last season would be cracking plus a central midfielder with Premiership experience.

Cameron: Luke Graham was excellent for us last season but he was only on loan from Dundee and has gone back to his parent club. With only three central defenders in the squad, Donaldson, Liam Henderson and Lang, we will need to add to strengthen our options in this position.

Donald: Falkirk need a strong experienced centre-half and need to hang on to all of their current squad, including Spencer.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Falkirk are "under no illusions about how difficult" their top-flight return will be, but the newly-promoted side are relishing the challenge, says defender Coll Donaldson.

Manager John McGlynn has led the club back to the Scottish Premiership following back-to-back league triumphs in the third tier and Championship.

Despite the "steep rise", centre-back Donaldson, who is aiming to be back for the League Cup group games following surgery at the end of last term, is determined McGlynn's "ambitious" side can "add something" to the division.

"It's going to be a huge challenge obviously," he told BBC Scotland. "We've gone from League One to the Premiership very, very quickly, so we're under no illusions about how difficult a task it's going to be.

"But we're really, really excited for it. It's the reward of two seasons of real success that now you get to go and play in the top league in Scotland.

"So as much as we know it's going to be a very difficult task, we're really looking forward to it and we think we can add something to the league."

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The transfer window has reopened for business for the remainder of the summer.

Falkirk have already been active, securing the experience of goalkeeper Scott Bain and striker Brian Graham for their return to the Scottish Premiership.

But is there still an area of the squad that needs improving, or certain players you are desperate to see sign?

Or maybe holding on to a key player is the biggest priority? And what about departures? Should the club be looking to move anybody on?

Send us your thoughts

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Brian Graham knows he has to "earn the right" to start for back-to-back title winners Falkirk after signing a one-year deal.

The veteran striker scored 21 goals in all competitions last season for Partick Thistle and was so impressed by the eventual league-winners, he wanted to be a part of it.

"I'm looking forward to getting in and playing with the players that are already in the building because, obviously, playing against them, I can see how well coached they are and how well they play together as a team," the 37-year-old told club media.

"You don't get any big egos. They're a team that are hard-working and look after each other and it's something I want to be involved in."

Graham is no stranger to working with John McGlynn - the manager signed him at Raith Rovers - but he is aware is experience doesn't mean a start is a given.

"I've got to come in there and earn the right," he added. "It's not just because I'm older and inexperienced that it means I'm going to walk in and be in the team.

"I know through experience that I'm going to need to come in here, hit the ground running and really work hard to get in this Falkirk side because they've been excellent over the last two years.

"That's why they've got back-to-back promotions and it's up to me now to work hard, get my head down and get myself in the team."

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Falkirk have signed "one of the hardest working strikers" in Brian Graham, as the veteran forward joins on a one-year deal.

The 37-year-old scored 21 goals in all competitions last season for Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle and has over 220 goals in his 18-year career.

This is the second time John McGlynn has signed Graham, having previously done so in 2011 with Raith Rovers, and Graham said he "couldn't say no" to working with the manager again.

"Brian's had an amazing career and it's a credit to him and the way he's look after himself that he's still one of the hardest working strikers going about," McGlynn told club media.

"He has the natural instincts of a top striker, he's in the right place at the right time, he knows the position inside out and with the number of crosses we put in the box, I'm sure there's plenty more goals to come.

"Brian is a winner, he is very determined individual and his experience at this level will be important to the team.

"I've said we needed Premiership experience and physicality, and Brian brings both of those in abundance."

The former Hibernian forward has 25 goals in 96 top-flight appearances with Dundee United, St Johnstone and Ross County.

"The opportunity to work with John McGlynn again was one I couldn't say no to," the former Partick Thistle women's manager said.

"You can see how well the players and staff have done here over the last two years with back-to-back promotions, and it's a chance for myself to get back and play in the Premiership as well.

"It's up to me now to work hard, get the head down, and get myself in the team. With the wide players here, I know for a fact I'm going to get chances to score goals and I'm really looking forward to getting started."

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The SPFL confirmed attendances have risen for a third consecutive season and thanked fans for their "incredible support".

Crowds across all leagues, cups and play-off matches totalled more than 5.3 million, a rise of nearly 185,000 from the 2023-24 season.

"We will be having further meetings with key stakeholders over the summer to review the most recent season and look ahead to 2025-26," the SPFL statement ends.

"We remain committed to ensuring a safe and enjoyable matchday experience for players and supporters - they are the lifeblood of our game and deserve nothing less."

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Falkirk fans, we have got you covered following your club's promotion back to the Scottish Premiership.

Right here, you will find your side's very own bespoke BBC Sport page, a one-stop shop for the latest news, highlights, expert analysis, fan views, stats and gossip.

If you are viewing this on the BBC Sport app, tap the bell icon at the top and sign up for news alerts to make sure you do not miss a beat.

And if signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' and you will start seeing more content about your club on your BBC Sport homepage.

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Premiership newcomers Falkirk have signed Scott Bain on a one-year deal following the goalkeeper's Celtic exit.

The 33-year-old - the Bairns' first signing for their top-flight return - won 14 major honours in his seven-year Celtic spell and previously made over 100 appearances for Dundee.

Bain, who has three Scotland caps, chose Falkirk over "various other offers both north and south of the border," according to Falkirk assistant Paul Smith.

"He comes to the club with a wealth of experience," Smith added. "He is really good with the ball at his feet, and he perfectly suits the play style and ethos that we have at Falkirk."

Bain said: "It's great to be here. The club is very well run and it's a really great set-up. It's full of good people, and that's a part of the reason I wanted to come here.

"The boys have done an incredible job over the last two years and hopefully I can help this season to be another successful one for the club and the fans."

Hearts are keeping close tabs on Falkirk midfielder Brad Spencer, with the 29-year-old entering the last year of his contract with the newly-promoted Scottish Premiership club. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

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Falkirk will begin the 2025-26 season with a trip to Highland League Brechin City in Premier Sports Cup Group A.

John McGlynn's side return north to face Cove Rangers before home matches against Queen's Park and The Spartans.

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Stephen McGinn has left his role as St Mirren Under-18s coach to take up a first-team coaching position at Falkirk.

McGinn made over 200 appearances for St Mirren prior to his return in the youth set-up, and was part of the Bairns' 2023-24 invincible League 1 winning campaign as a player.

Craig McLeish, currently St Mirren's head of technical performance, steps up to replace 36-year-old McGinn in a new U-19 set-up.

Academy director Allan McManus said: "We're sad to lose Stephen, but we're also delighted for him as he continues on his journey."

McGinn's return to Falkirk comes as they prepare for a first top-flight campaign in 15 years following their Championship title win.

Bairns manager John McGlynn: "Stephen's appointment will go down well with everyone at the club, no more so than the dressing room, where he was someone his fellow players looked up to."

Falkirk will make a shock bid to take 37-year-old Brian Graham to the Premiership as a player after he rejected the chance to become Partick Thistle manager. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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Falkirk teenagers Rhys Walker and Owen Hayward have signed one-year contract extensions while eight players are departing the newly-promoted Premiership club.

Goalkeeper Hayward was a regular on the Bairns bench last season while fellow 19-year-old Walker, a forward, scored nine goals in 30 Lowland League games on loan at Cowdenbeath.

Out-of-contract players Ross Munro, Jordan Allan, Logan Sinclair and Scott Honeyman are leaving John McGlynn's Championship title winners.

And loanees Luke Graham, Miller Thomson, Darragh O'Connor, and Eamonn Brophy return to their parent clubs.

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Recently-promoted Falkirk have been drawn alongside Queen's Park, Cove Rangers, The Spartans and Brechin City in Group A of the 2025-26 Premier Sports Cup.

The opening group fixtures will take place on 12-13 July, with further matchdays on 15-16 July, 19-20 July, 22-23 July and 26-27 July.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up will join Scotland's five European entrants - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United - in the last 16 on the weekend of 16-17 August.

Falkirk, who will return to the top flight next season after winning the 2024-25 Scottish Championship, are aiming for their first League Cup triumph.