“Uncharacteristic” Falkirk turn their focus to Hampden as John McGlynn brands Rangers’ thrashing as a “kick up the backside”
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: 💬 Have Your Say What do you think? Let us know in the comments or on social media @SNNsports.
Dunfermline 0-2 Airdrieonians Match Report
Dunfermline host Airdrie in the Scottish Championship as Dunfermline continue to chase promotion and Airdrie hope to avoid relegation. Dunfermline came into this one off the back of two big wins as a last minute goal meant they knocked Premiership side Hibernian out of the Scottish cup and they also handed league leaders St Johnstone their first home loss of the season. Airdrie despite their league position went on a five game undefeated run until a tight 1-0 loss against fellow strugglers Ross County but they had given themselves reason to hope under new boss Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. There was just the one change for Dunfermline from the team that beat St Johnstone, Tashan Oakley-Boothe had dropped out for captain Chris Hamilton. There were two changes for Airdrie from the team that lost that game against Ross County, Aidan Wilson and Charlie McArthur came in to replace Sean McGinty and Craig Ross. The first chance fell to Dunfermline as Andrew Tod had a free kick from around 25 yards out, however he struck the ball straight in the Airdrie wall. It would be Airdrie who took the lead as the ball somehow bounced over keeper Deniz Mehmet and into the net from a Euan Henderson free kick. Good running by Robbie Fraser as he got a cross into the box but Airdrie keeper Harry Stone was able to grab it before Zak Rudden could get on the end of it. Jamie Barjonas tried to barge his way through the Dunfermline back line until Fraser managed to get a block in and send it for a corner. A good counter attack from Airdrie stretched the Dunfermline defence and the ball fell to Charlie McArthur who couldn’t sort his feet out in time and ended up sending his effort wide of goal. A chance for Dunfermline as a recycled corner fell to Rudden and then Callumn Morrison whose curling left foot shot went just the wrong side of the post. Another good cross by Fraser on the Dunfermline left was met by the head of Andrew Tod but his header was straight into the hands of Stone Andrew Tod again got into a good position and got his low cross into Zak Rudden who missed the ball but it fell to Matty Tod and his shot was saved by Stone. The ball immediately fell to Chris Hamilton and his shot was well hit but over the bar as Dunfermline continued to look for the equaliser. Hamilton again found himself in space but his shot was poor and cannoned off his team and into the arms of Stone once again. First action of the second half was a sending off for Dunfermline as Chris Mochrie was running through on goal and was hauled back by Hamilton who gave referee Peter Stuart no choice but to send him off. Another great move by Morrison, Fraser and finally a shot by Rudden but again Stone in the Airdrie goal stops Dunfermline from getting that equaliser. A good one-two on the edge of the box from Mochrie and Charlie Telfer ends in a fairly tame shot by Telfer that was easily saved by Mehmet. A decent strike from outside the box by substitute Olly Thomas was again well saved by Harry Stone. A long ball saw Mochrie in behind again for Airdrie but he dragged his shot well wide of the post. A fantastic cross from sub Graham Carey flew straight through the penalty area and had to be knocked behind for another Dunfermline corner as they kept the pressure on Airdrie. Another chance for Dunfermline again as this time it was Kieran Ngwanya who had his effort saved by Stone. A second goal for Airdrie as substitute Lewis McGrattan scores with just under 10 minutes remaining with a fantastic strike down to the keepers right, surely wrapping up the three points for the Diamonds. One final chance for Airdrie as Lewis Strapp his a fantastic volley that bounced off the top of the net and almost capped of a great win. Dunfermline Athletic Deniz Mehmet, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (Alfons Amade, 78), Kieran Ngwenya, Chris Hamilton (sent off, 53), Charlie Gilmour, Zak Rudden (Shea Kearney, 65), Matty Tod (Olly Thomas, 65), Nurudeen Abdulai, Andrew Tod (Graham Carey, 65), Callumn Morrison, Robbie Fraser (Chris Kane, 78). Airdrieonians Harry Stone, Dylan MacDonald, Lewis Strapp, Aidan Wilson (Craig Ross, 40), Dean McMaster, Chris Mochrie (Robbie Mahon, 72), Euan Henderson, Charlie McArthur, Jamie Barjonas (Dom Thomas, 72), Charlie Telfer (Lewis McGrattan, 72), Cole McKinnon (Gavin Gallagher, 87). Henderson (13), McGrattan (82)
