Falkirk 1-3 Hibernian: Hibees tighten their grip on fifth place with an efficient first half display.

Hibees widen the gap between them and Falkirk to five points with an impressive first-half outing. With a potential European spot up for grabs today, David Gray’s Hibees bounced back after losing three on the bounce with a 3-1 victory over Falkirk, who were looking to leapfrog Hibs today. That was not meant to be for John McGlynn’s men, as their hopes of finishing fifth are all but over. Josh Campbell opened the scoring for the Hibees in just the third minute of play as he rose highest to Jordan Obita’s corner. Campbell’s header gave Hogarth in the net no chance. The Bairns reacted well after conceding, creating a few half-chances. Lisah notably delivered an enticing ball across the face of the box, but the outstretched leg of Barney Stewart just missed the vital touch. Against the run of play, Hibs doubled their lead, Captain Martin Boyle with some excellent wing play, skinning his defender and whipping a wonderful ball into the box, once again Josh Campbell got on the end of it, heading the ball in to give Hibs a 2-0 lead, and securing a brace for himself. On the stroke of half-time, Jordan Obita made it 3-0 to the away side. Just moments before, Obita beautifully struck the ball on the half volley, forcing Hogarth to pull off a good save. However, on this occasion, his effort from the edge of the box rifled into the back of the net. Hibs went into the half with a commanding 3-0 lead. The hosts started the second half of play on the front foot, and an early corner gave the fans some hope, but it ultimately led to nothing. Moments later, Finn Yeats whipped a lovely ball into the box, but it was just inches too high for the league’s leading assists man, Calvin Miller. Hibs captain Martin Boyle nearly made it four goals to nothing midway through the second half, once again cleverly beating his man and getting his shot off, which Nicky Hogarth saved well; the resulting corner amounted to nothing, but the visitors were in control of the game. Aston Villa loanee Ben Broggio pulled one back for the hosts. A fine effort from just outside the box gave the hosts hope of a potential comeback as they continued to put pressure on Hibs with just twenty minutes of play left. Unfortunately, it was too little too late for the Bairns. Falkirk had some half-chances in the dying embers of the game, most notably Calvin Miller’s header, which was just inches wide of the post. Hibs would comfortably see the game out to be 3-1 victors. For the visitors, three points for David Gray all but secures fifth place for his side, which may become a European spot if Celtic defeat Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final. Hibs are now just three points behind Motherwell, who host league leaders Hearts later on tonight in what should be a thriller. With an away trip to Ibrox midweek, Hibs will then host Motherwell on the final day of the season, which may well decide fourth spot. As for Falkirk and John McGlynn, the loss today massively dampens their hopes of finishing fifth. A top-six finish is a very impressive finish for a newly promoted side, but no doubt manager John McGlynn will be disappointed with today’s performance. The Bairns still have a slim chance of finishing fifth; they travel to Tynecastle to face Hearts on Wednesday night, and then will host Rangers on the final day. Falkirk: N.Hogarth 5, L.McCann 5 (L. Henderson 37’ 5), C.Allan 5, L.Neilson 5, F.Lissah 6 (E.Ross 70’ 6), D.Tait 6 (H.Cartwright 70’ 5), B.Spencer 7, C.Miller 6, F. Yeats 6 (B.Broggio 59’ 7), K.Wilson 6 (B.Parkinson 59’ 6), B. Stewart 6 Hibernian: R.Sallinger 6, J.Iredale 7, G.Hanley 7, W.O’Hora 7, J.Obita 8, D.Barlaser 7, M.Chaiwa 7  (K. Andrews 75’ 6), F.Passlack 8, J.Campbell 9 (J. Newell 64’ 6), O.Elding 6, M. Boyle 7 (A.Suto 75’ 6)

“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.

An impressive campaign for Falkirk can end up being a historical one

An incredible return to Scotland’s top flight for the Bairns as they are in the final four of the Scottish Cup, along with securing a spot in the top half split. John McGlynn has surpassed all expectations of him and his side from the start of the season. The newly promoted side has secured a top-half finish and is just two wins away from a Scottish Cup triumph. Stellar performances from the likes of Barney Stewart and Calvin Miller have been pivotal in Falkirk’s success so far this season. However, manager John McGlynn insists that their season is far from finished. “We’ve succeeded, but we’re not finished. We are professionals. We’ve got to go about our business in the right manner. We’ve got a semi-final a week tomorrow, we’re gearing up for that. We obviously are taking care of the game on Sunday against Rangers.” The Bairns’ final game pre-split is against a Rangers side in fine form; however, the Gers are yet to beat Falkirk this season, with the two teams sharing the points on two separate occasions. Falkirk post-split fixtures The Bairns can have a massive sway in the title chase between Hearts, Rangers and Celtic as they will face all three sides, with their final game being at home against Rangers. Celtic v Falkirk (25th April 5:30 pm) Falkirk v Motherwell (2nd May 3:00 pm) Falkirk v Hibernian (9th May 3:00 pm) Heart of Midlothian v Falkirk (13th May 8:00 pm) Falkirk v Rangers (16th May 12:30) But before Falkirk commence their post-split fixtures, they have a Scottish Cup semi-final date at Hampden, against Neil Lennon’s Championship side, Dunfermline Athletic, on Saturday, the 18th of April, 12:30 pm. A victory against the Pars will see Falkirk face off against either Celtic or Saint Mirren in the Scottish Cup final. Their last final appearance was back in 2015, in which they were runners-up to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Can Falkirk continue their impressive season and finish it with Scottish cup glory? Regardless of what happens in the closing stages of the 2025/26 campaign. It has been a brilliant season for John McGlynn and his Falkirk side. Have Your Say What do you think? Let us know in the comments or on social media @SNNsports.

Celtic Freeze Falkirk on Martin O’Neill’s Return

Celtic got back to winning ways with a 4-0 win over Falkirk as Martin O’Neill returned to the Parkhead side’s dugout for the first time since 2005. A first half Johnny Kenny double followed by goals from summer signings Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti helped the defending champions cut the the gap on Hearts to six points, after the league leaders drew 2-2 away to St. Mirren. It was only the second time Martin O’Neill had came up against Falkirk in his career, with the other encounter in 2004 seeing Celtic score double the number scored tonight, in an 8-1 cup victory. There was fan protests outside Celtic Park’s main stand prior the match versus the club’s board, but once on-field matters commenced, Celtic looked in total control. Benjamin Nygren missed a one-on-one earlier in the first half, but the Swede’s second strike of the game half an hour in rebounded off the post and striker Johnny Kenny was first to react, firing home to score his second goal of the season. Falkirk’s best chance at getting back into the game was just a moment after the opener. Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi’s strike took a slight deflection from the edge of the box, but it was well held by Kasper Schmeichel. But just ten minutes after his first, there would be a second for Kenny. Anthony Ralston looped a ball in from deep, and Nygren again made it easy for the Irish international as his headed pass was nodded into the Falkirk goal by Celtic’s number 24 to put them two goals ahead going into the break. Tired of being provider, Nygren got his own name on the scoresheet. Marcelo Sarrachi’s tame volley was pushed out by former Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain, but only went as far as Celtic’s top scorer who bagged his fifth league goal of the campaign having been at heart of the other two goals previously. The home side made it four with 18 minutes to play. Substitute Luke McCowan from deep in his own half spotted the run of Sebastian Tounekti, who beat a sliding Liam Henderson to the ball and scored his first goal at Celtic Park since joining from Swedish side Hammarby on deadline day. Martin O’Neill marks his first managerial gig in six years with a result, with him and Shaun Maloney in the hot seat until the Celtic hierarchy find Brendan Rodgers’ replacement after the Northern Irishman’s shock resignation on Monday night. The result is Celtic’s first win in three league contests, having lost to Dundee and Hearts consecutively before tonight. The Hoops face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday, before travelling to FC Midytlland of Denmark for Thursday evening Europa League action. As for Falkirk, tonight marks their first defeat in four having not tasted defeat since the back end of September. They host a Kilmarnock side on Saturday who fell to a 1-0 home defeat tonight to Aberdeen. CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Ralston 5, Trusty 6, Scales 6, Sarrachi 7, Nygren 6 (McCowan 66′ 4), Engels 5, McGregor 6 (Hatate 76′ 1), Forrest 7 (Balikwisha 61′ 2), Kenny 8 (Maeda 66′ 3), Tounekti 7 (Osmand 76′ 2) FALKIRK: Bain 3, Adams 6, Allan 4, Henderson 4, Lissah 4 (Hart 62′ 2), Miller 5 (Agyeman 62′ 2), Tait 4, Arfield 4, Spencer 5 (Cartwright 68′ 1), Ross 4 (Williams 46′ 4), Samuel-Ogunsuyi 4 (Graham 62′ 2)