After taking a commanding 2-0 lead into halftime, McGlynn’s men fell apart in the following forty-five, conceding six in what was a ruthless second-half performance from Danny Rohl’s title-chasing Rangers.
In what was their final game before heading to Hampden to face Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup semi-final, the bairns surrendered a two-nil lead in the second half, ultimately losing 6-3 to Rangers.
“It could be the best thing that ever could have happened, it could be the kick up the backside that happens today rather than next week”, were the words of Falkirk manager John McGlynn after Sunday’s defeat.
The Bairns are just two wins away from Scottish Cup glory as they face Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic this Saturday, but a repeat of that performance against Rangers will all but end any dreams of progressing to the final.
The Pars, who currently sit third in the Scottish Championship, are no strangers when it comes to defeating Scottish Premiership opposition in this season’s Scottish Cup. Neil Lennon’s men have defeated both Hibernian and Aberdeen on their journey to the semi-finals.
“Dunfermline are more than capable of beating Premiership opposition. So we are under no illusions, and the message will be getting hammered in this week”
In what was an uncanny performance against Rangers, more so in the second half, John McGlynn will know that his side are more than capable of reaching the final. But McGlynn will be sure not to let his players underestimate their semi-final opponents.
The Bairns have had a stellar season so far, and a win on Saturday would be monumental for the town of Falkirk.
Falkirk and Dunfermline face off at Hampden Park in the first semi-final of the weekend this coming Saturday, a repeat of the 2008/09 semi-final, in which Falkirk came out 2-0 victors.
Whoever is victorious on Saturday will face the winner of the other semi-final matchup between Celtic and St Mirren in the final, which takes place on the 23rd of May.
Scottish Cup Semi-final fixture times:
Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk (18th April 12:30 pm)
Celtic v Saint Mirren (19th April 2:00 pm)
Both games will be shown live on Premier Sports 1 and BBC One Scotland.
Will Falkirk learn from their mistakes against Rangers, or will the Pars cause another cup upset and reach their first Scottish Cup final in nearly twenty years?
Check out SNN Sports’ latest podcast featuring Falkirk striker Brian Graham ahead of their Semi-final at Hampden, available on YouTube and Spotify.
YouTube link below:
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