Falkirk

Falkirk have made an offer to sign Nottingham Forest attacker Joe Gardner on a permanent transfer, but the 21-year-old is also wanted by a number of League One and League Two clubs, including Oldham Athletic. (Football Insider), external

Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain has revealed he effectively volunteered for a deadline-day transfer to Celtic while on loan to Hibernian from Dundee after seeing the Glasgow club linked with Trevor Carson on Sky Sports News. (Herald - subscription required), external

Friday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Dylan Tait has revealed he felt moving to "a massive club" like Dundee United was the right thing for his career after leaving "an amazing team" at Falkirk.

The 24-year-old midfielder revealed there was "interest in me from elsewhere" as his contract ran out with the club who finished one place above United in the Scottish Premiership.

"I had a good couple of seasons at Falkirk and enjoyed my time there," Tait told Dundee United's YouTube channel.

"I couldn't speak too highly of Falkirk; they have been amazing for me and I am buzzing to be at Dundee United.

"It was an amazing team I played in there and we played against Dundee United a few times last season, so I know what I'm coming up against.

"I am just looking forward to helping this team be successful."

Tait played for Raith Rovers, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Arbroath and Hamilton Academical before moving to Falkirk.

"For my age, I've got a lot of experiences, good and bad, and I think I can help the younger boys in this team especially," he added.

"I already knew [right-back] Miller Thomson from Falkirk, so he kind of made me feel welcome and I already had a mate coming in, which always helps."

Image source, SNS

With Barney Stewart moving to West Bromwich Albion, Falkirk are losing a 20-goal striker at senior level - but not all of those goals came for the Bairns.

Stewart, 22, netted twice after initially joining Falkirk, then in the Scottish Championship, from East of Scotland League side Heriot-Watt University in early 2025.

He then scored eight goals on loan at second-tier side Dunfermline Athletic in the first half of season 2025-26.

He was recalled to score 10 more in the dark blue of Premiership Falkirk between January and May.

His 20 senior goals so far have been spread across 50 appearances (goals per game ratio of 0.4), of which 32 were starts.

Stewart contributed two assists in the Scottish Premiership in the second half of last season, giving him 10 goal involvements in the league overall.

Throughout his breakthrough 2025-26 campaign, he tended to score once in a game when he was on the scoresheet but he did bag a double for Dunfermline in a Challenge Cup defeat by Queen of the South.

At Falkirk, he scored his first senior hat-trick in a late January 4-1 win over Premiership opponents Hibernian and a double in a 5-1 defeat of Kilmarnock followed in late February.

All in all, Stewart has, in a very short space of time, shown himself to be a very effective attacking presence and further progress at West Brom - Scotland head coach Steve Clarke's former club - could bring international recognition. He has already been capped twice by Scotland Under-21s.

Image source, SNS

Falkirk's John McGlynn would be the natural successor to Derek McInnes at Tynecastle should the Hearts head coach complete his expected move to Rangers, according to former Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan.

He reckons a Scottish input best complements the Jamestown Analytics scouting system being used by the Edinburgh club.

"If you are looking at the reason Hearts took Derek McInnes, it was his knowledge of Scottish football," Doolan told the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think they were crying out for somebody to come in, stabilise the club, use all the analytics but still win games.

"And I think that's what it's down to. You know, you can use all the data you want, you can use all the the fancy technology, but ultimately the manager, the players, the staff, they need to know the country and and the types of games they're going to come up against.

"That's why Derek was so successful, I think, at Hearts, because he knows the league inside out.

"John McGlynn to me is exactly on the same path as Derek McInnes in terms of that knowledge. What he's done with Falkirk over the the last few years has been amazing.

"He picked them up, I don't know, whether mid-table or something in League One, and they're now in the top six of the Premiership. You don't have to always overlook these guys to go abroad.

"The analytics absolutely will be used at Hearts, but John McGlynn will score really well on on the analytics just because he he has been so successful.

"You don't know how somebody's personality will deal with that pressure until they're actually there. But John McGlynn, he's been at Hearts previously. He understands the club."

West Bromwich Albion are close to finalising the seven-figure signing of 22-year-old striker Barney Stewart from Falkirk. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Ethan Laidlaw believes he has joined "the perfect club" for his career after agreeing a two-year contract with Falkirk.

Forward Laidlaw, 21, leaves Brentford for an undisclosed fee and was previously a youth player with Hibernian.

He has been capped up to Under-19 level by Scotland and his Bairns deal comes with the option of a further 12 months.

"We're delighted to bring him to the club," said manager John McGlynn.

"For much of his time there, he featured as a striker for Brentford B, although this season he has also played out wide as well as through the middle.

"He has had a very promising season. His direct running, power and strength, combined with his ability to get into the right positions and score goals, are qualities that really attracted us to him."

Laidlaw was voted players' player of the year for the Brentford B team last season after producing 15 goals and 10 assists.

He said of his Falkirk move: "It's a club I've admired a lot over the past couple of years, particularly the manager and the way he wants the team to play.

"As a young Scottish player, it feels like the perfect club to continue my career and development, so I'm over the moon to get the deal done."

Image source, Getty

Latvia international Deniss Melniks will "fit into our style of play with ease", says Falkirk manager John McGlynn after signing the versatile centre-back on a two-year contract.

Milniks, 23, who has 11 international caps, will join the Bairns on 1 July once his contract with Latvian side FK Auda expires.

"Deniss can play in a few positions," said McGlynn. "He has a great stature at 6ft 3in and we believe there is more international games to come for him by coming to the Premiership in Scotland to develop his game further.

"He is very composed on the ball and will fit into our style of play with ease. He has the aerial ability to help us defend set-plays and also to be a threat in the opposition box.

"He can move into the centre of midfield as he has good range of passing and has the presence to command and boss the midfield."

Former Riga FC and Torino youth player Melniks becomes Falkirk's fifth signing this summer. He has made more than 100 appearances in a three-year stint with Auda, winning the Latvian Cup in 2025.

"I'm delighted to join Falkirk and grateful for the trust the club has shown in me," he said.

"This is a great opportunity for my career and I'm excited to meet the fans, work with the team, and give everything to help the club achieve success."

We asked for your views on Calvin Miller's move to Hearts and how Falkirk might replace him.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: Absolutely gutted he's gone. He was our best player the past three seasons. But he deserves the move - all the best Calvin.

Hugh: Calvin has been a great player for us for three seasons and I loved watching him. He deserves his move to a bigger stage and I wish him well at Hearts. Falkirk can now concentrate on replacing the players who were released with new players who might offer a bit more experience to keep us in the top six. Also keen to see the young Irish winger, Paul McGovern, we've signed. John McGlynn seems to have a knack of picking up good players and developing them properly.

Martin: It's a shame Miller leaving but I wish him all the best. I'm confident the manager can build the squad and make Falkirk a place to stay for players of Miller's quality.

Dave: We will move on, what's gone is gone.

Nathan: Following up on our sixth-place finish, holding on to crucial players was always going to be difficult and many Falkirk fans knew the band was going to be breaking up. Calvin has been an incredible servant to the club and has provided the fanbase with memorable moments. I understand why he has chosen a new challenge and wish him the best of luck. The good news for us is we got a fee for him, we just need to put it to good use. Considering we've lost Dylan Tait and Miller I'm already a bit nervous for next season.

Image source, SNS

Calvin Miller admits he was "dying to make the move happen" as soon as he heard of interest from Hearts.

The winger, who moves to Tynecastle from Falkirk for an undisclosed fee, has signed a three-year deal and is eyeing silverware as he looks to continue his impressive form of last season.

"I'm buzzing, it's been in the pipeline for a while, I'm just glad that I'm finally here and got the deal all signed," Miller, 28, told Hearts TV.

"Hearts are a massive club, you've seen what they've done last season, straight away everyone wants to be a part of that.

"When I heard the interest was there, I was dying to make the move happen and they're playing in Europe this year as well, so I'd love to get myself in among that.

"Who doesn't want to play in Europe? You get a chance in the Champions League qualifiers to then go and progress and if not then it's Europa League. That's a big stage, that's where you can go and make a name for yourself and the club can go and make a name for itself. I'm dying to get started."

The 28-year-old praised Falkirk manager John McGlynn for helping to revive his career.

In his three years under McGlynn, Miller won back-to-back titles and secured a top-half Premiership finish to crown the Bairns' raise from Scotland's third tier.

Last term he scored nine goals, recorded 11 assists and claimed the player of the year awards from Falkirk supporters and his team-mates, and is hoping to build on those stats under new manager Derek McInnes.

"I'm thankful to Falkirk because they essentially got my career back on track," added Miller.

"The gaffer helped me through thick and thin, and every season was a success. I'm hoping to continue that success and that form I had at Falkirk.

"I always knew myself I could play in the top flight and it was about showing that and I think I did this season. That probably leads me to why I'm here to sign with this massive club.

"I'm quick, direct, I like to score goals and set up goals and all I care about is if I can contribute to the team.

"All the goals and assists, and even silverware, I hope to come here and try and achieve all of that as well as properly progress."

Image source, SNS

Hearts have completed the signing of Falkirk winger Calvin Miller for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Described by the Bairns as a "modern Falkirk great", Miller, 28, was instrumental in the club's rise from League 1 to top flight.

He scored 32 goals and contributed 37 assists for Falkirk in 132 games.

Former Celtic youth player Miller's nine assists last season was a Premiership high and he now bolsters Hearts for a season of European and domestic football.

Hearts fans, what do you think of Miller's signing? Can he flourish in Derek McInnes' side? Have your say here.

Falkirk fans, how big a blow is it to lose such an influential player? How might Miller be replaced? Tell us here.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Hearts have proved adept at unearthing gems from relative European obscurity, but their next signing looks set to be from much closer to home.

Falkirk winger Calvin Miller is nearing a move to Tynecastle after impressing in his first full top-flight campaign.

At 28, Miller is in the peak years of his career, but what do the stats say about why Hearts - and their Jamestown Analytics recruitment tool - have targeted the former Celtic player?

A perusal of Opta's data for the 2025-26 Premiership campaign soon flags up Miller's impactful presence in a Bairns side that finished sixth on their return to the top fight following a 15-year absence.

Creativity and end product are essentials for a winger and Miller delivers on both fronts. His 16 goal involvements was the most in the Falkirk squad and seventh highest in the Premiership overall. Only striker Barney Stewart (8) topped Miller's league goal haul of seven.

It is clear Miller is not a winger content to merely hug the touchline - he had the most touches in the opposition box of any Falkirk player and all his goals came from inside the area. While mainly deployed on the left, he can play either flank or centrally and showed a comfort using either foot, netting four with his left and three with his right.

One aspect of his game he could look to improve is in finishing accuracy. He underperformed his xG (expected goals) of 10.06 by more than three, and had a low conversion rate of 8.86% from 79 shots, 23 of which were on target.

On chance creation, Miller is a Falkirk standout. He had the most assists (nine) in the Premiership last season and also ranks first in John McGlynn's squad for chances created (60), while his 18 big chances created is three times more than any other Falkirk player as well as being second only to James Tavernier (19) in the top flight.

Miller also had the most passes into the box (250, including crosses), completed dribbles (35) and fast breaks (13) in the Falkirk squad.

A player of such talents will clearly be a major loss to the Bairns, but don't expect supporters to be up in arms at Miller's departure.

"He's been fantastic for us over the past three years since he signed. He's one of these guys that I don't think any Falkirk fan will grudge him a move up the way," said football writer and Falkirk supporter Gordon Waddell on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

He added: "Miller hit his head off a few rungs on the ladder on the way down after he left Celtic. He went down south and had to work his way back up through Harrogate and Notts County and Chesterfield and Morton.

"And even when he signed for us, we were in League 1 at the time. John McGlynn has been outstanding for him and turned him now into the player everybody always thought he might be when he was a kid."

Falkirk and Hearts have agreed a fee for Calvin Miller and the 28-year-old winger will join the Edinburgh club once he has completed a medical. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hearts are close to finalising the signing of 24-year-old forward Amadou Ba-Sy from Rouen as well as Falkirk winger Calvin Miller. (Hearts Standard), external

Falkirk are set to sign Latvian centre-back Denniss Melniks, with the 23-year-old leaving Auda as a free agent. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

John McGlynn says Falkirk have added a "wealth of experience" to their squad by signing Scott Tanser after the left-back's five-year spell at St Mirren came to an end.

The 31-year-old defender has penned a two-year deal with the Bairns, who marked their return to the top flight with a top-six finish last term.

Manager McGlynn says the former St Johnstone man's Scottish Premiership experience will be valuable to his side.

"He's an attacking left-back who loves to get forward," the Falkirk boss added.

"He has good quality in the final third to deliver good crosses for our attacking players in the box.

"He has a good delivery from set-pieces, as he displayed in our last game against St Mirren at the Falkirk Stadium, when the Saints scored from a corner.

"He is more than capable of moving into a left centre-back position if required, so he is a definite advantage to us."

Meanwhile, the departure of Calvin Miller is expected to follow the arrival of Tanser, with Hearts hopeful of concluding the signing of the winger in the next 48 hours.

Hearts hope to complete the signing of 28-year-old Falkirk winger Calvin Miller this week. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Falkirk's appeal over a "disproportionate" sanction for fans' use of pyrotechnics has been rejected, with the club claiming they have received no "clear explanation" from the Scottish FA of what they could have done differently.

Following pyro use at February's Scottish Cup tie away to Stenhousemuir, the Bairns were given a suspended penalty of a 25% stadium closure for a future cup match if there is a repeat before the end of the 2027-28 season.

The Premiership club, who were also fined £500, say any partial stadium closure would cause them "significant financial damage" and appealed the severity of the punishment.

"Falkirk FC remains committed to working proactively with other clubs, security partners and the footballing authorities to prevent similar incidents in future," the club said.

"Despite our view remaining that the sanction was disproportionate and having received no clear explanation of what the club could have done differently to prevent the incident, it is clear the football authorities are taking a stringent line on incidents like this.

"We therefore ask again that all supporters refrain from using pyrotechnic devices at any games to avoid further sanctions that could harm the club, as well as the obvious risk to the safety of other supporters."

Image source, Getty

Falkirk have signed right-back Jack McMillan - two years after he turned them down to Join Exeter City.

The 28-year-old now moves to John McGlynn's men on a two-year contract after being released by the English League One side.

"Jack is a player we have been talking to for the last month, so we are delighted that he has agreed to sign for us," said Falkirk assistant Paul Smith.

"We tried to sign him two years ago when he was leaving Partick Thistle, but he went down south to play for Exeter City where over the last two seasons he has played 95 games and probably played just about 90 minutes in every game.

"Jack is a right-back who can fill in all across the backline and played a lot of the time last season in the middle of the park, so he covers a lot of positions for us, which is great to have."

McMillan, who also counts Motherwell and Livingston among his former clubs, said: "Coming from a family of Falkirk fans I am absolutely delighted to join the club and will do everything I can to help the team to continue building on the success they have had over the last few seasons under the manager and Paul."

Image source, SNS

Dundee United have fended off "significant interest" from other clubs to sign Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait.

Tait, 24, will move to Tannadice on a three-year contract this summer when his Falkirk deal expires.

He spent three-and-a-half years with the Bairns, helping them rise from League 1 to the Premiership, where they finished sixth this season.

He departs having made 104 Falkirk appearances, scoring 13 goals.

"Dylan is a player we've admired for a long time and somebody we believe is perfectly suited to the way we want to play," said United manager Jim Goodwin.

"There was significant interest in Dylan from elsewhere, so we're naturally delighted he's chosen Dundee United for the next stage of his career.

"He's technically excellent, progressive in possession and very comfortable receiving the ball in all areas of the pitch. His passing range and intelligence allow him to influence games in different ways, whether that's controlling the tempo or opening teams up in the final third.

"What's impressed us most is the consistency he's shown over a number of seasons.

"At 24, there's still significant room for development and we believe Dundee United is the perfect environment for him to continue progressing."

Tait is "hungry to keep improving", adding: "As soon as I heard about the interest from the club, it was something I was really excited about.

"Dundee United is a massive club with a rich history and of course such a passionate fanbase, so it was an opportunity I really wanted to take."

Image source, SNS

Dylan Tait will leave Falkirk this summer after the club were unable to secure the midfielder on a new deal following months of talks.

The 24-year-old joined in January 2023, initially on loan, and helped the Bairns rise from League 1 to the Premiership, where they finished sixth this season.

He departs having made 104 Falkirk appearances, scoring 13 goals.

"The club has been in discussion with Dylan and his agent for a number of months, however the midfielder has chosen to pursue opportunities elsewhere," Falkirk said.

"Dylan has created and shared in moments that will live long in the memory of everyone connected with the club, and he will always be remembered as part of a special Falkirk side.

"He leaves with the club's sincere thanks and best wishes."

A report claims, external Tait is poised to stay in the Premiership by joining Dundee United on a three-year deal.

Image source, SNS

Falkirk face Ayr United, local rivals Alloa Athletic, Stranraer and Edinburgh City in next season's Premier Sports Cup group stage.

John McGlynn's side were the top seeds in Wednesday's draw after finishing sixth on their return to the Scottish Premiership and with the top five sides receiving byes to the second round because of their participation in European football.

The Bairns won their group last season, finishing ahead of Cove Rangers, Queen's Park, The Spartans and Brechin City before losing to eventual beaten finalists Celtic in the second round.

This time, they face an Ayr side who will start the campaign under Gary Naysmith, with the former Scotland full-back having switched to Somerset Park after leading part-time Stenhousemuir to promotion via the play-offs after finishing second in League 1.

He replaced Scott Brown, who left Ayr as they headed for a seventh-place finish in the Championship.

Andy Graham's Alloa, who topped their group last season ahead of top-flight Dundee and finished fourth in League 1, lost the play-off final 3-2 on aggregate despite beating Naysmith's Stenny side 1-0 away from home in the second leg.

Chris Aitken's Stranraer were fifth in League 2, while Michael McIndoe's Edinburgh's edged out Highland League champions Brora Rangers in the Pyramid Play-off final to retain their place in the Scottish Professional Football League after finishing bottom of the table thanks to a 15-point deduction.

Stranraer and Edinburgh were in the same section last season and their group campaign this time begins on 11/12 July and finishes on 25/26 July.