BENCHMAN: You knew King's deal would come to a head

IT HAD TO BE HIM: Many had feared that result. Falkirk were, for long periods, the better team. There were great chances for Alston, Baird and Vaulks. Then- an injury time winner. King had only scored one header in his entire career before this. Against whom? Us. He already had his place in the Rangers’ song-book, now he is super sub according to the media.


CUP EXIT: Well that’s it for another year. Our cup form in recent years stands in stark contrast to the disappointments of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Who would have thought that we would be at three finals after that? The team played well at Dens and more than matched Dundee for an hour. Still- we are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the record number of postponements of a match. We beat Inverness Thistle at the 29th attempt on Thursday February 22nd 1979. Guess who then knocked us out in the next round? Dundee at Dens Park.

TEASER: Which Polish Internationalist played as a pre-season Trialist for Falkirk ?

RYAN BLAIR: Good luck to young Ryan as he sets out on his career at Swansea. There has been a real exodus of young Bairns to the Liberty Stadium, and he won’t be short of familiar faces as he settles in. Falkirk have had a fair number of players who headed South in search of fame and fortune, but the number who have gone to one club has never matched this.

TRANSFER WINDOW: I can’t remember such a flurry of activity as we have had this season. Credit to the Board who have backed the manager and shown ambition. Funnily enough, we said in the past that Myles Hippolyte looked a useful player and a real threat. Few of us thought that when he came on as a sub for Livingston against us a fortnight ago, he would soon be a Bairn.

REMOTE CONTROL: TV is controlling the game. Fact. Over 30 years ago, I can recall an old Aberdeen supporter bemoaning the changes to kick-off times to meet the demands of the broadcasters. He foresaw the day when games would be played at daft times, such as a Monday morning at 11.00 am to suit TV schedules in the Far East. Looking at the adverts round the grounds of the English Premier League games, his scenario is not far off the mark. In stark contrast was the old joke about games in the lower reaches of the Scottish League. Punter “When’s the kick off?” Club official “When can you get here?”

ANSWERS: Last week’s picture showed a Falkirk team from the Cunningham era. Of that team- the following played in England at some time in their career- George Miller (Wolves), John Markie (Newcastle), Alex Scott (Everton), Tom Young (Tranmere) and Tiger McLaughlin (Everton).

BENCHMARKS (Rangers)
Match rating: 8

Team rating:8
Opposition: 7
 Referee:Clancy 4
Best Bairn: Craig Sibbald.