Falkirk claimed a 3–1 victory over Queen’s Park in the Premier Sports Cup on Tuesday night.
A double from Ethan Ross and a late Brian Graham strike cancelled out Josh Fowler’s opener. But despite the result, much of the post-match focus turned to the battle for the No.1 shirt.
Manager John McGlynn reflected critically on the goal his side conceded, suggesting that Nicky Hogarth, back in the starting XI, could have done more.
“They get a free kick, their first time up the park, and we don’t defend it,” McGlynn said.
“Nicky maybe should do better, and Keelan [Adams] doesn’t follow in. There are factors to us losing the goal.”
Hogarth, who had been tipped for a Scotland call-up during the national team’s recent injury crisis between the posts, has been rotated with former Celtic keeper Scott Bain throughout pre-season and the early stages of the cup.
McGlynn confirmed that Bain would return for this weekend’s tie against The Spartans but stopped short of naming a first-choice goalkeeper ahead of the new league campaign.
“Scott is going to go back in goals on Saturday,” he said. “We’ve alternated pretty much every game, cups and friendlies. There’s been just a minute separating them overall.
“Nicky played the first game against Brechin, Scotty played against Cove, then Nicky played tonight. To be honest, they’ve not had an awful lot to do, so I haven’t learned much.
“But Scotty needed minutes. He hadn’t played a lot at Celtic, and I think the games have been valuable for him.
“Both are very good with their feet, their distribution is excellent, which is something we value in a goalkeeper.
“Nicky’s developing well, and for a goalie he’s still young, but he’s gaining experience fast.
“It’s a decision we’ll have to make. Scotty will play again on Saturday, but for Dundee United, I couldn’t tell you just yet.”
With both keepers pushing for the gloves and McGlynn still undecided, the final Premier Sports Cup group match could prove decisive in settling Falkirk’s goalkeeping hierarchy before the league campaign kicks off.
The club boast one of the strongest goalkeeping divisions in the Premiership, with former Partick Thistle number one Jamie Sneddon also an option going forward.
