Falkirk Send Apology to Dundee United After Craig Sibbald Announcement
Falkirk sent fellow Premiership side Dundee United a apology after their announcement of the pre-contract signing of Craig Sibbald. The 30-year-old was draped in Falkirk colours on the club’s social media as he put pen to paper to mark a return to the side he began his career with. This caused anger amongst the United faithful, but an official statement on their official team website shows that all is now water under the bridge. The statement reads: “Dundee United are aware of an announcement made yesterday by Falkirk FC regarding a pre-contract agreement with one of our players, which included imagery not appropriate to the circumstances. “We have since received a formal apology from Falkirk, which we have accepted. While we are disappointed with how the situation was handled, we now consider the matter closed.” Sibbald left Falkirk in 2018 to join Livingston after spending the first seven years of his career at The Falkirk Stadium, going on to spend a further four years in West Lothian before heading to Tannadice in 2022. United will not face Falkirk again this season as their only way of breaking into the top six is by replacing John McGlynn’s men in sixth place, saving Sibbald any more future awkward moments. Falkirk still have an outside chance of finishing in a European spot in their first campaign back in the Premiership since 2010, and face rivals Dunfermline Athletic at Hampden for a place in the Scottish Cup Final in a months time.
Askou upbeat despite Celtic Park defeat
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou saw plenty of positives from his side’s 3-1 defeat against champions Celtic. Elijah Just gave the Fir Park side a priceless lead, but replies from Tomas Cvancara and Yang meant the Steelmen would lose further ground on the top three. Speaking after the match, Askou expressed pride in his team’s performance, as they continue to navigate a stellar season. “Of course it hurts. We hate losing, love winning, and now we have got nothing out of the last two games, even though we have put a lot in. “The tempo was really high at times, some of the quality in the build-up was really good, and our pressing was at times extremely good, and it made them change their strategies. “We got a goal from it, and our bravery gave them some opportunities to punish us, which they were able to do. “It could go both ways, and I would have hoped it would not be that kind of moment or incident that tipped the game to one of the sides. I think it was a shame that [the penalty and red card] decided the game. “It’s a penalty, which is a big chance, and a red card, which makes it difficult to get back into the game and get a result.” Hopes of splitting the Old Firm may slip away after back-to-back defeats leave the Steelmen seven points adrift of third place. They return to Fir Park on Saturday afternoon, facing European-chasing Hibernian.
