Falkirk

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Craig Levein accepts he may go into Falkirk fans' bad books for saying manager John McGlynn "deserves an opportunity to go to a bigger club".

The Bairns boss has worked wonders at his current club, taking them from the third tier to the Scottish Premiership, where they currently sit third in the table.

Many have tipped McGlynn for the vacant managerial position at Aberdeen following the sacking of Stephen Robinson.

Former Scotland and Hearts manager Levein said: "I don't know if Falkirk fans will like me for saying this, but I just think he deserves an opportunity to go to a bigger club and see if he can do the same thing again.

"He's a very thoughtful guy. For me, if you look at what he's done, you'd be asking why he isn't getting the recognition he probably deserves.

"I'm biased. I like the guy and I want to see him do really well. But I think he deserves it. I really do."

Levein, who worked with McGlynn at Hearts, added: "His body of work over the last seven or eight years has been exceptional.

"He's worked at Raith Rovers, where there wasn't a lot of money and which isn't a big club as such. Falkirk were really, really struggling when he took over. It's been remarkable what he's managed to do to get them into the Premiership.

"But it's not just about getting them into the Premiership. If you watched Sunday's game [against Hearts], they were fantastic.

"He plays a style of football which I think probably relates back to his time at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers. I watched John's teams before that, and there was a massive change in how he played afterwards."

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

Just when you think John McGlynn has peaked at Falkirk, he finds another gear.

Like most Bairns fans, I've spent the last month or so pinching myself. Five wins in a row and up to third in the Scottish Premiership for the next fortnight at least.

It's pure fantasy stuff, all the more so when you consider how much of this run has come from a group of players only brought together in the summer.

Now comes the nervous part. I'd usually be quite happy to simply savour a run like this, but I've already caught myself looking further down the table and wondering what one or two clubs might do next.

The plaudits coming McGlynn's way are thoroughly deserved, but this is also the time of year when clubs start weighing up a change of manager.

I can certainly think of one club in our division that might be casting admiring glances towards the Falkirk Stadium.

I dread to think of the day he leaves. The more miracles he works, the more likely it is that someone will come calling.

My hope is he sees it the way most of us do. Falkirk and McGlynn are the perfect marriage. He's a legendary figure here and he's got the keys to the castle, something he might find harder to come by elsewhere.

Whatever happens, plenty of Falkirk fans would already call him the greatest manager in our history. I'd just love to see what else he can achieve here.

I hope the club is doing all it can to put a new and improved deal in front of him.

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Ex-Hearts manager Craig Levein backs John McGlynn for the vacant Aberdeen manager's job. (Record - subscription required, external)

Levein believes Scottish football has overlooked the talent of Falkirk manager McGlynn. (Scotsman - subscription required, external)

Hearts forward Claudio Braga reveals there was a sense of shame in the Tynecastle dressing room after Sunday's 5-2 defeat by Falkirk. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required, external)

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Defender Liam Henderson hailed Falkirk as history-makers after they recorded a remarkable 5-2 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle.

The Bairns scored five goals at the Edinburgh venue for the first time in more than 100 years, extending their winning run to five matches and underlining their impressive revival after collecting just two points from their opening five league games.

Henderson admitted his side had relished the challenge of facing Hearts on their own ground, with the visitors making the most of their first-half opportunities to effectively settle the contest before the interval.

"To come to Tynecastle and know what it's like, I'm sure they've not been defeated here at home in a long time," he said.

"We knew it was going to be a test. They've got a lot of injuries, but you come to a place like Tynecastle and it's hard to score goals and get a win.

"The boys were outstanding. We smelt blood in the first half and we kind of finished the game off."

Falkirk's transformation in recent weeks has been striking, with Henderson highlighting improved team spirit, hard work and greater ruthlessness in both boxes as the reasons behind their resurgence.

"We've had three clean sheets going into this game, so we're all working as a unit together," he added.

"You can see that on the pitch. It's a massive difference from where we were at the start of the season."

Henderson was one of manager John McGlynn's first signings when the pair joined the club in the summer of 2022, and the defender was quick to praise the influence of the Falkirk boss.

"He's massive. His knowledge, his attention to detail and the way he is with us is brilliant," he said.

"He's always letting us have an opinion during video analysis. He's so detailed in everything he does and it helps us massively."

Meanwhile, manager McGlynn is hoping Brad Spencer is not facing a spell on the sidelines after the influential captain was forced off with a knee injury in Sunday's stunning 5-2 win.

"Brad's a big player to us," said McGlynn, initially unsure of the extent of the injury. "We didn't start the season particularly well and one of the reasons would be that Brad was suspended for the first two games of the season.

"He's such an influence on us. And although we weren't doing great in the second half (at Tynecastle), we certainly deteriorated once Brad went off.

"He's such a calming influence and he made us tick. Once we got the couple of goals up, he managed to get on the ball, he was breaking the lines, he just looked like a class player."

We asked for your views after in-form Falkirk stunned Hearts with a fantastic five-goal victory at Tynecastle.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Nathan: I honestly have no idea what has just happened. An absolutely surreal performance and a surreal afternoon. What a team this is! However, what worries me is that you could see the cookie crumble after Brad Spencer was injured and had to come off. Hopefully, his injury is not too serious.

Gordon: Three away wins at Scotland's city clubs and a home win against the current champions. All merited. Let's keep this going!

Dave: Falkirk were immense. They are probably the best side in Scotland just now. We are a club on the rise, professional off the park and clinical on it. Statue for John McGlynn!

Gary: What John has done with Falkirk cannot be understated! I am terrified that an Aberdeen or Hearts come calling. He is an outstanding manager. He lost so many key players at the end of last season, yet he has brought in upgrades. Jacob Murrell is amazing and will have a lot of admirers.

John: This was a day when the Bairns showed just how much they have grown up this season. Scott Tanser and Owen Eames are bossing the left-hand side and linked up well for a great second goal. Murrell continues to put the fear into opposing defences. McGlynn typically stays calm, emphasising simplicity of thought, determination and an unmatched desire from everyone on the park to get to every ball. This sums up the growth Falkirk have seen this year, and the results speak for themselves.

Mark: This team has no limits to what they can achieve this season. After the start to the season, everyone thought it would be a fight to finish 10th. Now the sky's the limit. They are the architects of their own destiny. The job McGlynn and the team have done is nothing short of spectacular. BUILD THE STATUE NOW!

Merciless Falkirk extended their Scottish Premiership winning run to five games and replaced Hearts in third spot with a brilliant victory at Tynecastle.

Read the match report here

Have your say on the match here

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn told BBC Scotland: "It's 31 years since Jim Jefferies team went five wins in a row and we're delighted to equal that.

"After the international break, we are against St Johnstone, who are a very good side, but we'd hope to make it six.

"We are obviously delighted with the players - they've been fantastic."

Asked about the prospect of qualifying for Europe, McGlynn adds: "It is striking a balance without getting carried away and not playing it down too much.

"Winning five games in a row, you've obviously got something about you. We want it to continue because we're enjoying this.

"But we're only 13 games in. There's a long way to go, so we've got to keep our feet on the ground and enjoy seeing our team third in the league when it comes on the TV."

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John McGlynn has warned his Falkirk players to ignore talk of a crisis at Hearts.

The Tynecastle side's injury woes deepened during their Conference League defeat to Thun on Thursday with Stephen Kingsley suffering a hamstring problem.

Days earlier Hearts lost Tomas Magnusson to concussion and former Falkirk midfielder Calvin Miller to a knee injury that will keep him out for two months.

Head coach Wouter Vrancken is also missing Harry Milne, Christian Borchgrevink, Oisin McEntee, Ageu, Craig Halkett, Blair Spittal and Tom Renaud.

But McGlynn is not underestimating the test that awaits his Falkirk side at Tynecastle on Sunday.

"They've not been beaten at home [in the league] in 18-19 months," the Bairns boss said.

"They've got a proud record there and it's not going to be easy. Yeah, they've got injuries, absolutely, it's a fact. But they can still put 11 good players on the park.

"They might be a little bit lighter on the bench, but they can still put a good 11 players on the pitch.

"We're not going to get too caught up in the injuries that they have. I sympathise with the manager, he's restricted in the players he's got to choose from. I sympathise with the players who are getting injured.

"But we've got to focus on our job and not get too caught up in that.

"You end up coming a cropper if you're thinking that they've got all these players injured, and it's just a matter of turning up."

Vrancken, meanwhile, hopes a vocal Tynecastle crowd can inspire his injury-hit side to victory.

"The situation we're in, we have to just stick together and fight again on Sunday," Vrancken told HeartsTV.

"It's an important run of games like we already know, and make sure that we are as fit as possible to go for the game.

"It is good that it's a Tynecastle, so we have a full stadium behind us and that has to give the energy to make it this last game before the break a good one."

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Veteran defender Stephen Kingsley joined Hearts' lengthy injury list by picking up a hamstring injury against Thun.

Calvin Miller, Tomas Magnusson, Harry Milne, Christian Borchgrevink, Oisin McEntee, Ageu, Craig Halkett, Blair Spittal, Tom Renaud and Oisin McEntee remain out.

Falkirk full-backs Ryan Strain and Leon McCann both face about two months out.

But Ethan Laidlaw, Joe Gardner and Keelan Adams are back in training, while Aodhan Doherty remains sidelined.

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Falkirk striker Jacob Murrell believes the passion and meaningfulness of Scottish football is fuelling his goalscoring form.

The American has netted five goals since joining from DC United and helped the Bairns go on a four-game winning run.

"It's a little different just because the games matter a bit more here than they did back in the MLS, just because of the promotion/relegation and how much the fans care about results," Murrell suggested after receiving the Premiership player of the month award for September.

"So the intensity of the games is much higher - you're not finding easy games.

"For me, it's the best thing in the world to play under this type of pressure. It just gives me a purpose, it gives me that fuel.

"I love that the way that our group goes on the field and performs matters to people. We're playing for something more than ourselves.

"Like after the Celtic match, when all the fans stayed in their seats, celebrated the win with us after, that wasn't just a win for us as a team but for the full club, for the fans, for the community. It was a really great moment for everybody."

Murrell was among 17 summer signings and praises the club and his team-mates for helping settle quickly.

"There's a bit of learning curve the first month to get up to speed and get all the stuff sorted with a car, an apartment and a bank account," he added. "All the stuff that you don't see behind the scenes.

"Little stuff that's different, like when I went to the grocery store, I couldn't find eggs. Back home, they're only in the fridge. They're on the shelf here.

"But I've got into a really good rhythm with a couple of team-mates going to the gym after training and just getting into good habits where we're cooking our own food and eating well."

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Falkirk's superb form has been recognised with a Premiership awards double.

John McGlynn has been named manager of the month for October, with Jacob Murrell taking the player award.

After defeat by Dundee in early October, the Bairns beat Hibs 2-1, Kilmarnock 3-0 and Aberdeen 1-0, before making it four wins in a row on 1 November with a first victory over Celtic in 19 years.

American forward Murrell, 22, netted against Dundee and Killie either side of an Easter Road brace to take his tally to five goals for the season.

McGlynn, whose side have risen to fourth in the table, told Sky Sports: "I'm delighted to pick this up on behalf of all the backroom staff and players.

"We've managed to get ourselves away from near the bottom of the table and our confidence and momentum are building.

"The challenge was to create a new team that is even better results-wise than last season's. At the moment it's working but we're not getting carried away. So far, so good."

• Hearts' Scottish Premiership games this season have featured a joint-high 41 goals (24 for, 17 against), while only Aberdeen's (26) have had fewer than Falkirk's (27 – 15 for, 12 against).

• Falkirk's 2-1 win over Hearts in September was their first in 10 top-flight meetings (D2 L7) since winning back-to-back matches in 2008.

• Hearts remain unbeaten in 26 home league games (W21 D5) since a 1-0 defeat to Dundee in April 2025. It's the longest home run by any side in the Premiership since Celtic's 52-game undefeated streak from February 2021 to December 2023.

• Hearts have won their past four top-flight home games against Falkirk, keeping a clean sheet in the latest three.

• Falkirk have won four consecutive league games, the longest ongoing run in the Premiership.

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

Sunday was one of those special days at the Falkirk Stadium when everything came together.

Confidence, belief and the bit of luck you need to beat either of the Old Firm were all there as we claimed a victory over Celtic to savour.

Given some of our performances since returning to the top flight, particularly at home against the two Glasgow heavyweights, I felt a result like this was overdue.

There is no denying, though, Scott Bain played an enormous part in getting us over the line. In fact, that was probably the best performance I have ever seen from a Falkirk goalkeeper.

As Bain said afterwards, he felt like nothing was going to get past him, and watching from the stands, you began to feel the same.

Naturally, his heroics have prompted calls for him to become Scotland's number one in the forthcoming Nations League matches. Ask anyone of a Falkirk persuasion, however, and they will tell you his case was compelling well before Sunday.

Bain was among the Scottish Premiership's standout goalkeepers last season. This term, I would put him ahead of the rest.

His shot-stopping understandably grabbed the headlines against Celtic, but there is much more to his game. His distribution is excellent, often spraying passes out to the full-backs with the composure and accuracy of a midfielder.

That ability makes him a natural fit for the way we play and the possession-based style new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli wants to implement.

One of John McGlynn's greatest strengths is his ability to improve players. Even in the twilight of his career, Bain looks to have benefited from a touch of McGlynn's magic.

Sunday might have brought Bain's form to a wider audience, but those of us watching every week have needed little convincing. Surely he has earned his opportunity between the sticks against North Macedonia at Hampden.

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn has revealed he made more money as a plumber than when he went into full-time coaching at Hearts and paid tribute to his spouse for her "great support".

McGlynn, 64, spent around 10 years at Hearts from the mid-1990s, working with the club's youth teams initially on a part-time basis.

He subsequently managed Raith Rovers, Hearts, Livingston and Raith again before joining Falkirk in 2022. McGlynn oversaw successive promotions from Scottish League 1 to the Premiership via the Championship.

And, on Sunday, the Bairns recorded their first win over Celtic in 19 years.

"My wife supported me all the way through," McGlynn told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I was making more plumbing than when I went back into football at youth level on a full-time basis at Hearts. She's always backed me all the way along. Great support."

McGlynn sealed a top-six finish on Falkirk's top-flight return last season and has revamped his squad for the current campaign after losing a clutch of players that had been on loan.

After a slow start in the league, the Bairns are up to fourth in the Premiership, having won four league games in a row.

He was asked about Falkirk's unique selling point for attracting players, given the budgetary challenges.

"We've had a lot of plaudits for the style of play," he explained.

"We give them game time. A lot of these guys can go to League One and League Two in England and perhaps don't get the opportunity as much.

"We've got a great culture amongst everyone at the club."

We asked for your views after in-form Falkirk stunned Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic with a sensational 2-0 victory.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Pabs: Surely Scott Bain gets into the Scotland team now? An absolutely stunning performance from our goalkeeper. Falkirk were superb throughout, with defenders flinging themselves in front of shots and chasing down Celtic. The Bairns were the better team and deserved the win.

Nathan: An inspirational performance from everyone involved. I'm so proud of this team and so proud to be a Falkirk fan. Surely our players and, more importantly, John McGlynn deserve a statue now? Bain was absolutely incredible and should be the first name on the Scotland starting XI for the next international break. Anything else would be a farce.

Andy: We were top-class and, as usual, didn't show any fear against one of the top two. Roll on Hearts next Sunday! If Bain doesn't get called up for Scotland, there's something very wrong.

Stuart: This team gets better every week. Team spirit, fighting for every ball. Happy days being a Bairn!

Lewis C: The difference between the two sides? Heart. Falkirk players, coaches and fans have it, Celtic don't. A brilliantly run club, getting better all the time.

Paul: Bain put in an inspired performance. Surely he has staked a claim to start for Scotland?

Watch Falkirk beat Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic and make it four wins in a row (UK only).

Falkirk earned a stunning first victory over an abject Celtic in 19 years to move up to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "It's taken a massive effort, it was some shift the players put in.

"We needed Scott Bain to have the game of his life, he made so many saves. It's a huge testament to everyone, the work rate, the effort, the desire.

"We got the early goal which you're always grateful for and that gave us something to hold onto, settled us down a little bit.

"I think the second goal was excellent, a great ball through and Scott Tanser, who's not been playing very much, comes into the team today, gets into a great position and score.

"To get the 2-0 advantage was huge and I think Scott Bain had two outstanding saves. He had to continuously produce in the second half so a huge thank you to him for the game he's had.

"A huge performance, all the characteristics you'd want from your team playing against Celtic."

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Falkirk have forward Ethan Laidlaw pushing for a comeback, but Aodhan Doherty, Joe Gardner and Keelan Adams remain out.

Celtic remain without Alistair Johnston, Yang Hyun-jun and Auston Trusty.