
John McGlynn challenged Falkirk to 'do an Ipswich' by securing promotion
Falkirk manager John McGlynn revealed he had challenged his side to 'do an Ipswich' on day one of pre-season after his side clinched back-to-back promotions.
A 3-1 win over Hamilton saw Falkirk follow up their unbeaten William Hill League One campaign with a Championship title success.
McGlynn told BBC Scotland: 'First day back we said, 'Ipswich. Ipswich just went back to back. Ipswich done it, can we do it?'
'It's not something you come out in public and say. But we actually did. Reality is still reality but the guys have got enormous spirit.
'I am delighted for everyone in the football club.'
Falkirk had dropped 11 points in the previous five games after conceding six late goals and there looked like there might be another sting in the tail when Scott Robinson gave relegated Accies an early lead.
But Ethan Ross hit a double either side of the break and Falkirk fans were in party mood after Calvin Miller finished in off the post in the 71st minute.
Bairns fans surrounded the pitch in stoppage time before launching a full-scale invasion on the final whistle
'It's an amazing feeling,' McGlynn said. 'We made it hard for ourselves over the last few weeks but it's all come to fruition.
'We made it hard for ourselves tonight but the lads showed enormous character. To come back in the game, control the game and dictate the game, play our football, and get the goals we deserved.
'I can't compliment the players highly enough. They have just been incredible. Coming up from League One, Invincibles, and just continuing from there.
'We had a stutter but we have come out on top and the league table never lies. And we have been there for a long time.
'We have come up a level, everyone knows how difficult the Championship is, and we have come out on top.
'It speaks volumes for the players that they could step up that level, continue to play at the standard. We have had many compliments about the way we have played.'Show less
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Shotts boss says 'having a go' worked well as they avoided Premier League drop
John McKeown's side were on a good run of form at the end of the season Shotts boss John McKeown reckons having a go in games worked well for them, and hopes his side continue that form into next season's West of Scotland Premier League. The Hannah Park side ended with 11 points from a possible 18 in their last six games, as they comfortably evaded the bottom three – though Clydebank winning their Lowland League play-off saved four teams from going down. Now that the dust has settled on their first season in the top flight, McKeown reckons they could have done things differently. 'We know what to expect, but you have to find your feet,' said McKeown. 'As a coaching and management team, I think we were a wee bit negative in the first half of the season. 'In the second half, we had a wee bit more of a go, and ended up doing quite well. In our last six games we won three, drew two and lost one, and that's good going in this league. 'Fair play to the boys, they deserve all the credit they're going to get, and hopefully they continue that form into next season.' Shotts watched Clydebank's play-off in sponsor's pub The Two Chimneys in Uddingston, and the Bankies' promotion to the Lowland League means McKeown can plan ahead. He said: 'I had two lists, and now I can concentrate on the Premier League one, rather than the Championship. 'That gives us a better chance to plan, going forward. 'This is our second season in the Premier League and I think that's for the first time in 30 years, or something like that. 'By hook or by crook, we've stayed there, so fair play to the boys. 'We have a team spirit that I don't think many clubs have, and I think that's what has kept us up.' Having lost Airdrie neighbours Gartcairn to relegation last season, due to a 15-point deduction, one particular fixture stands out to McKeown, who said: 'Glencairn are my local team, I was born in Rutherglen, so that's another wee derby.' Last week the club announced that a number of players have signed up again for the new season Taylor Evans, Josh Gracie and Paul Byrne have joined Ally Small, Rico De Marco and Jack Gordon in committing to the 2025/26 campaign. A number of players have also departed. Leaving the club are Andrew Duffy, Chris Meikle, Danny Burns and goalkeeper Sandy Thomson. Meanwhile, after getting a bye in the first round, Shotts were drawn against Irvine Victoria in round two of the WoSFL Cup. The date is to be arranged.


Daily Record
27 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Livingston boss' dream summer camp instantly granted by club owner
David Martindale's side will head to a summer camp in Holland for the first time in years David Martindale says a summer camp in Holland was his number one request for Livingston's pre-season, and it was immediately granted by new owner Calvin Ford. Martindale says the backing he has received from the club's new chairman has been a breath of fresh air, and allowed him and the squad to get away for a week for the first time in years. Livingston will visit Alloa Athletic for a pre-season game on Saturday, June 28, and head to the Netherlands the following day, with two more games scheduled. That brings Livingston straight into their Premier Sports Cup Group H campaign, against Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers. Martindale says that's ideal preparation for their return to the Premiership and is delighted with how much Calvin Ford is getting behind him. He said: 'We play Alloa on the 28th at Alloa, because our park is getting re-done, and then we're away to Holland for a pre-season camp on June 29, the Sunday, for a week. 'We've got two games when we're in Holland, and when we come back we're near enough into the cup section. 'It's good preparation. 'We've not been fortunate enough to get away for the last couple of summers, we didn't get away last January – obviously we were in the Championship and we didn't get the break. 'But we've not been able to get away for the last couple of summers, and I think it gives you a fantastic start to the campaign, if you can get the group away, put a lot of work into them, hours on the grass, and relationships get fast-tracked because they're living with each other 24-7. 'I think it's really beneficial to get away for a summer camp. 'I've got Calvin to thank for that. He asked me what I'd really like, and what would help me, and I said I would really like to try and get away for a summer camp. 'He said 'right, go and get me some prices and consider it done'. 'That's absolutely fantastic, that he's shown his support so early on. 'It's great backing, and I'm really, really happy.'

The National
7 hours ago
- The National
When are the 2025/26 SPFL fixtures due to be released?
Clubs across the country are preparing for the new campaign, which begins in less than two months. When are the 2025/26 SPFL fixtures released? The SPFL will publish the full list of matches for the new season across the Premiership, Championship, League One and League Two on Friday, June 20, at 9am. In the top flight, only the first 33 of 38 rounds of fixtures will be released, due to the annual split which takes place in the final weeks of the campaign. Read more: The first round of games across all four top divisions in Scotland then takes place on the weekend of Saturday, August 2. Celtic will unfurl the Premiership flag in their first home league match of the new campaign after they were confirmed as champions for the fourth consecutive year in May. Rangers ultimately ended the season 17 points behind their city rivals, although new head coach Russell Martin is now at the helm ahead of 2025/26. Both sides have lengthy pre-seasons to come through before domestic action returns. Celtic must also negotiate a Champions League play-off in August. Their city rivals will have to make it through three rounds of qualifying to make it to European football's premier club competition for the first time in three years.