Bairns can benefit from the Hippolyte fantastic

The midfielder was a stand-out in the Bairns win over Dumbarton and was praised for his performance – and his bravery – by the Bairns boss.

Hippolyte went close to heading Falkirk into the lead in the first half and ended up with a swollen eye as a result ng heads with Sons defender Gregor Buchanan then as Alan martin palmed his effort away.

Undeterred he continued to run at the visitors defence and pleased the fans as well as his manager.

“Myles has been waiting on an opportunity and he did well,” said Peter Houston.

“But we have spoken and what I need to know from Myles is what I’m going to get week in week out. I need Myles to be good in three out of five games, not just one of them.

“Consistency levels have to improve, and if I get three good games from Myles Hippolyte out of every five, I’ll settle for that.

“He has the potential to do it, he’s got pace, physical strength and all the attributes to be a big big player in the championship, but Myles agrees his consistency level has to be better – and that’s coming from him.

“Football is a confidence thing too. On Saturday he was excellent - up and down the pitch, his one-on-one situations, his dribbling and crossing statistics, excellent.”

Houston and the flamboyant attacker have discussed his role in the team and it seems to be benefitting.

The boss added: “We’ve had good conversations about how he has to get a regular place in the team and I thought Saturday’s game suited him. We needed more creativity within the team and that’s why I played Craig Sibbald centrally and Hipopolyte outside him and I thought Sibbs had his best game since the first half against Hibs when he played centrally. That’s no disrespect to the others because they weren’t the only ones. The strikers worked hard, Kerr and Taiwo were good too, the back four and goalkeeper kept a clean sheet.

“Sibbald was suited to it and Myles was excellent.

“When you’re playing at home to a team which are going to make it hard for you, you need the creativity of those two who have that something special that can open teams up.

“Myles has got it and we know Craig Sibbald has it in abundance.”

And despite his knock Hippolyte is fit to play on Saturday against Elgin if selected.

Houston added: “Myles’ eye went up really quickly, but he showed good character to carry on and now it’s away down and he’s fine.

“He’s brave enough to go in for that header and he almost scored and that’s what we need.”