Bairns boss pleased with condition of players

And boss Peter Houston declared himself pleased with how the Bairns shaped up on day one.

The squad will be put through their paces at Stirling University today (Friday) with a series of tests which will be re-examined during the season.

However after yesterday’s light session at The Falkirk Stadium, the Bairns’ boss said he was impressed by their conditioning.

“There are one or two niggly injuries. David McCracken’s had a cyst removed from the top of his head - so he’s off heading the ball for the time being. He’s walking around with a plaster on his head. Sibbs also missed the first day, he’s got a chest infection which he had towards the end of the season, so he’s being sent for tests and we want him at 100%. Tom taiwo’s ankle is still sore and he’s being scanned again but he has been doing some running. “There’s three guys not quite back at it, but we welcome some new blood to the club,” the boss told The Falkirk Herald.

Luca (Gasparotto), Lewis (Kidd), Liam henderson and James Craigen -- everyone has come back in good shape, we did a light session before testing at Stirling University.

“They go through the yo-yo test, bleep test, both running tests, a hamstring test, standing jump test et cetra. The first impression is they look great. “You can look at people and tell they’ve looked after themselves during the summer, everyone has come back in good form.”

However David McCracken and Craig Sibbald sat out of the session, while Tom Taiwo only did light running. Lee Miller, who coached with PFA Scotland last week at the exit trials, is still on leave.

Houston added: “There are one or two niggly injuries. David McCracken’s had a cyst removed from the top of his head – so he’s off heading the ball for the time being. He’s walking around with a plaster on his head.

“Sibbs also missed the first day, he’s got a chest infection which he had towards the end of the season, so he’s being sent for tests and we want him at 100%.

“Tom Taiwo’s ankle is still sore and he’s going to be scanned again but he has been doing some running.”

The Bairns will have double sessions on Monday and Tuesday before flying out to Dublin on Wednesday for matches with Bray Wnaderers and Shelbourne next week.