Falkirk

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "I think most neutrals will agree that we deserved to take something from the game - at least one point, maybe three points.

"We had three good chances in the first half and, in the second half, Schmeichel makes a fantastic save.

"So I'm absolutely gutted for our players. They put so much into the game, they played particularly well.

"We have kept them quiet tonight. I have played Celtic before and the goalkeeper has been out best player, but that was not the case tonight."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Falkirk's trajectory over the past few years has been such that one of the side's key players is sure manager John McGlynn must be attracting the interest of bigger clubs.

Liam Henderson was McGlynn's first signing at the club back in 2022, and the defender admits the Bairns' progress is so impressive there's open banter among the squad regarding McGlynn's future.

"We have a joke about it in the dressing room and within the walls here," Henderson said.

"I was saying to him the other day: 'Were you not down at Manchester getting an interview for the Man U job? Have you not been in Aberdeen this weekend for an interview?'

"There's some stuff you're thinking: 'How has he not been getting it?' Maybe on the side he's got a wee phone call here and there but he's different class. Very, very good."

The results back up Henderson's opinion of his manager. Back-to-back title wins and now a comfortable position in the top flight's top six, five points above Dundee United in seventh. The stuff of a football fairytale.

Henderson added: "We had finished sixth in League 1 when the gaffer took charge. Three years, eight months and eight days ago.

"There's hard work and determination around the whole club. What we've done is amazing. I think the manager and the backroom staff have done an amazing job and they've got a way of playing.

"They also have an adaptability that you can buy into and I think once you get a core group of lads that buy into that and really trust in what the manager's doing, it shows on the pitch and it shows in the results that we're getting.

"The team spirit's massive and the dressing room we've got is a huge bonus for us."

The credentials of the manager and squad are about to be tested again with the visit of Martin O'Neill's Celtic tonight.

Should the Bairns win, the focus on the job McGlynn is doing is likely to intensify further.

The former Hearts and Raith Rovers manager admits it would be "interesting" to test himself at a club with a bigger budget but is adamant there are no potential suitors beating a path to his door.

Henderson is convinced, nonetheless, his manager is attracting attention.

"Maybe it is going on but he's keeping it quiet," he said. "Or maybe he just loves the boys and he wants to stay with us, I don't know.

"He's done a wonderful job here and I hope he stays."

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Attacking midfielder Louie Marsh goes straight into the Falkirk squad after joining on loan from Sheffield United.

Ethan Williams has picked up an illness which probably keeps him out. Lewis Neilson (ankle), Gary Oliver (hamstring) and Tom Lang (foot) are working to get back to fitness.

Celtic remain without Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Marcelo Saracchi (all hamstring) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).

Jota's knee problem is likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

I doubt I was the only one who expected Scott Bain's stay at Falkirk to be a short one.

From the moment he arrived in the summer, Bain looked completely settled, taking the number one shirt from Nicky Hogarth and proving to be one of the club's smartest bits of business on our return to the top flight.

His match-winning saves, calm presence and ability to play out from the back quickly caught wider attention, not just around the league but beyond it.

Before long, the rumour mill was in full swing, with interest steadily building. There was talk of clubs on both sides of the border ready to swoop, as Bain was only on a one-year deal with us.

That only intensified when the 34-year-old's form earned him a recall to the Scotland squad, something that felt entirely deserved given the level he has been operating at this season.

With all that in mind, the prospect of Bain moving on this summer seemed inevitable, and plenty of supporters were already preparing for that outcome.

But then came some surprising news. The club's confirmation on Friday that Bain had signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract arrived as a massive and unexpected boost.

We've already added new faces in January, but keeping Bain feels just as crucial.

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• Falkirk have lost 13 of their past 15 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D2) since a 1-0 victory in March 2007.

• Celtic have only lost one of their past 22 league matches against Falkirk (W18 D3), and have also won 19 of their latest 20 league games against newly-promoted opponents (D1) since a 2-1 defeat to Hearts in July 2021.

• Falkirk have only lost one of their past eight home league matches (W3 D4), going down 2-0 to Hearts in December.

• Celtic have lost four of their past seven away games in the Scottish Premiership (W3), as many as their previous 32 on the road beforehand (W22 D6 L4).

• Celtic have lost both of their past two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, as many as their previous 80 beforehand (W67 D11 L2). The Parkhead club last lost three league matches in a row in midweek from January to May 1990.

Watch Sportscene pundit Charlie Mulgrew discuss the work John McGlynn has done with Falkirk.

Having been promoted in successive seasons, the Bairns are sixth in the Scottish Premiership and have won their past two matches.

"It's remarkable what he's doing, really," said former the Scotland defender.

"He's stuck to his style of play. Players look really good within that."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Falkirk continued their fine season with a 2-0 Premiership win at St Mirren on Saturday and they have two players in my team of the week.

When the ball presented itself to Finn Yeats far from goal there was no hesitation from the young midfielder, who delivered a perfect finish.

Calvin Miller has been an electric presence for Falkirk from League 1 all the way to the top half of the Premiership. Always a danger as he proved yet again in Paisley.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn says the club's capture of the England Under-20s midfielder Louie Marsh is an indication of how attractive the club has become for young players.

Marsh, 21, has signed on loan from Sheffield United until the end of the season.

He has made five senior appearances for the Blades and has also had loan stints with Doncaster Rovers and Fleetwood Town.

McGlynn is excited to bring Marsh to the club and is delighted the bulk of his work in the transfer window has been done early.

"We've moved a bit quicker than even I expected, and I thought it would be a bit later in the window before we would be at this point, so we're delighted to have Louie at the football club now," McGlynn said.

"Louie is another one who we had eyes on in the summer very early, and the message was he would be staying in there at Sheffield United. They went through a bad period, changed manager, and they never really got the opportunity to get into the first team. We've managed to get him on a loan deal to the end of the season.

"He's an attacking player, and he's got real quality to add in that attacking area. He's an elegant player and I'm sure he's going to produce quality and get a few assists and a few goals in the second half of the season."

In his news conference before Wednesday's Premiership match against Celtic, McGlynn added: "Louis is a proper 10. He's got quality. He's a little bit taller than what we've got in these kind of positions.

"We're always trying to add some height into the team because we've found in the Premiership that's a big aspect as well.

"He's a quality player, something that's a little bit different. We wanted a proper 10, and I would suggest to you that's what Louie Marsh is."

Falkirk have already extended the contract of goalkeeper Scott Bain and announced the signing of forward Ben Parkinson from Newcastle United.

Watch highlights as St Mirren lose 2-0 against Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Falkirk's 2-0 win over St Mirren on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Nathan: A great way to combat the cold, I thought in the first half both sides cancelled each other out well but in the second half we grew in confidence. Finn Yeats scores a lovely goal and I'm delighted for the lad, he's had to wait a while to get a go in the first team followed by Calvin Miller's great finish in the second half. New signing Ben Parkinson impressed me in his cameo, looks like he's willing to get about the opponent and make some very fast runs in behind.

Ian B: We keep getting better and better, good starting XI as well as a very strong bench, an excellent first half of the season, let's hope the second half is equally as good.

David: Masterclass from John McGlynn. Changed the shape to a diamond to nullify the threat from a very physical St Mirren side. Eventually, after wearing down the St Mirren thrust, we countered very well in the second period and converted the opportunities when they came along.

Neil: Absolutely brilliant, every week this season just gets better and better. The management and players have to take huge credit for how we have taken to this league. Players that got us out of league one have stepped up big time and the new additions have been superb too. The fact we can now go to places like Motherwell, Aberdeen, St Mirren and get results shows how we are growing. Such a good feeling around the club now.

Tommy: It's time the board for Falkirk football club get McGlynn on an extended contract before we lose him in the coming months. I write this in a panic, after the Falkirk performance away from home to St Mirren. We must at all cost keep him at Falkirk.

Ian H: Another away end sold out and it's this fantastic support on the road that has a huge influence on the team. Add that to the brilliant management from John and Paul Smith and the vision of a great board of directors and the wee big team fully deserve their place in the top six. Falkirk are a superb addition to the Premiership. They are a great watch and fingers crossed they can strengthen again for next season and consolidate their position as a well-run top flight club.

Falkirk earned back-to-back wins to start 2026 as an outstanding Finn Yeats' finish and Calvin Miller strike condemn St Mirren to a third straight Scottish Premiership defeat.

Read the full match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Falkirk manager John McGlynn tells BBC Scotland: "We were outstanding second half. Not much in the first half, one or two wee scares. We were always dangerous.

"Calvin Miller, over the whole game, was outstanding and a constant threat. That's where the first goal comes from, him running in behind and the goalkeeper getting lured out.

"We were the far better team second half. Our mentality was very good. We've picked up 16 points away from home, we're equally as good away from home. We set a target of 15 points in the second block of games and we've got there with a game to spare.

"The clean sheet is always pleasing. We defended really well, kept them fairly quiet. Delighted with the whole thing.

"We are [exceeding expectations] but we want to keep it going, keep our feet on the ground. The fans have backed us. We've got 5,700 season ticket holders and it's been a long time since we could say that.

"We have to continuously improve it but everyone would recognise that we're not a half-season wonder. We will keep our foot to the floor."

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Falkirk have signed Ben Parkinson from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee after being "gazumped" when trying to agree a deal for the striker in the summer.

The forward has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Falkirk Stadium.

The 20-year-old made his top-flight debut for Newcastle in 2023 but since then has featured predominantly for the Under-21s and scored eight goals in 11 games in Premier League 2 last term.

"Ben is one we were very much interested in during the summer," Falkirk manager John McGlynn told club media.

"But we were a little bit gazumped at the time. We had chased him for a good while, and someone came in with a fairly substantial transfer offer.

"Something cropped up injury-wise which meant that deal didn't happen at the time, and since then he's mainly been getting back from injury.

"He's back fit now and has been playing a few games. We've watched him closely and we're happy with the way he's been playing.

"We believe he's one not just for now, but for the future. He's a striker who can also play wide, which is a big benefit for us."

Falkirk have agreed the permanent transfer of 20-year-old striker Ben Parkinson from Newcastle United. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Goalkeeper Scott Bain says it was a "no-brainer" to sign a two-year contract extension after reviving his career at Falkirk.

The new deal will keep Bain at Falkirk until at least June 2028, with the club having the option of an additional year.

Following several seasons as a back-up at Celtic, Bain joined the newly-promoted Bairns last summer and has proved an impression addition for John McGlynn's side, who currently sit sixth.

Bain's form earned him a first Scotland call-up in six years for last November's qualifiers against Greece and Denmark as Steve Clarke's men secured World Cup qualification.

"I am delighted to sign this extension at the club," said Bain. "It was a no-brainer for me and my family, I'm really enjoying life here, and I love working with everyone at the club, the players, and the manager.

"The way I see the game and the way I enjoy playing the game is the same as how the manager wants to play so I love the way we are on the park."

Manager McGlynn said: "To say we're pleased to have signed Scott Bain on a longer-term contract would be an understatement.

"It's great news – huge news. He's been outstanding from the minute he walked into the football club."

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Stephen Robinson has added former Motherwell midfielder Alan Campbell to his St Mirren squad.

Saints remain without Jonah Ayunga (tendon), Mark O'Hara (ankle) and Keanu Baccus (hamstring tendon).

Falkirk are expected to be without Lewis Neilson (ankle), Gary Oliver (hamstring), Ross MacIver (ankle) and Tom Lang (foot) although all are close to returning.

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Falkirk boss John McGlynn is hopeful of completing his first signing of the January window in time for Saturday's Premiership trip to St Mirren.

"We should have an announcement tomorrow," McGlynn said at a press conference on Thursday.

The manager was reluctant to share details of his impending new recruit, although he dismissed suggestions Hearts pair James Wilson and Alan Forrest might be joining.

"No," he said. "That's having a stab in the dark."

Beyond the imminent arrival, McGlynn expects to "do two or three things" before the window closes, while he also intends to extend existing players' contracts.

"We're negotiating with quite a few," he said.

"We've got a number of loan players and nine times out of 10 all the loan players go back at the end of the season, so we're trying to extend contracts on players who have got maybe six months, even 18 months on their contract because we will have to replace a lot of the loan players."

Centre-back Ryan Edwards, who joined in November to provide cover during a defensive injury crisis, will not have his deal extended beyond 19 January.

"Nothing to do with Ryan but we've obviously got these guys coming back," McGlynn said, with Coll Donaldson returning to the squad last week and Lewis Neilson back in training.

Veteran midfielder Scott Arfield left Falkirk last week after being restricted to just four league starts this season.

"It's as straightforward as it looks," McGlynn said of the 37-year-old's unexpected departure.

"Scott's getting on in years, obviously getting towards the end of his playing career, and he needs to be playing.

"He wasn't getting the game-time that would satisfy him. He was brilliant all the way through. He came in and had a chat with us two or three weeks before and he gave us his intentions. I wish him well."

We asked for your views on what business Falkirk need to do in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Lucia: Scott Arfield back.

Gordon: A number nine that suits our 4-5-1 system is essential.

Tommy: We're settling down at the back, good in midfield, how good could we be with a big-name striker? For me Lyndon Dykes. Try get him on loan until the end of the season, he's not happy at Birmingham.

David: Personally I think we need someone like Josh Andrews from Birmingham City, or Joe Hugill from Manchester United to improve our hold-up play, or Sinclair Armstrong of Bristol City to give us pace for counter-attacking.