Bob's burning desire to repay fans after play-off

Bob McHugh and his fellow strikers Lee Miller and John Baird couldn’t find the net, but the forward is certain the Bairns can use another disappointment to fuel another hot streak next season.

McHugh – fast becoming a cult-hero for the Bairns supporters – has popped up with vital strikes which re-ignited Falkirk’s promotion hopes at Easter Road and Starks Park this term.

That has helped the Bairns bounce back from their Scottish Cup disappointment this time last year and McHugh believes the strength shown in the aftermath of Hampden which helped build this season, can be used as more motiviation for the Bairns players next term.

“The players in the dressing room are disappointed, but there is a lot of quality there - players who got to the Scottish Cup final and then the play-off final in consecutive seasons, shows the standard we have. A fewe more bodies in the squad should help us carry on well next season.”

Peter Houston has already outlined the need for more quality and physicality which will create more competition for places for McHugh and his team-mates, and provide the lift in expectation for the new season after Sunday’s low.

McHugh added: “If you told me the season I’d have had I’d have taken it but going so close, it feels raw and just disappointment.

“I had a frustrating first few months but in the second half of the season I’ve found my stride. The next few weeks I’ll need to start focussing on carrying on my decent form into the start of next season so we can hit the ground running.

“The idea for coming to Falkirk was playing for a massive club and getting games and creating chances and I was confident I can score goals. It’s been a good end to the season for me but it’s all disappointing at the moment after the game.

“I don’t think we did ourselves justice. Everyone in the team can look themselves in the mirror and know we each worked as hard as we could, but as a team I don’t think we played as we can play and that’s the case over both ties. Kilmarnock played the better football over both matches and that is a disappointment.

“It was a disappointed dressing room, a very quiet dressing room.

“It’s not often we’ve had that feeling in there this year, we’ve been used to winning and scoring late goals so the dressing room has been buzzing lately, and it feels different.”

The fans were still buzzing despite the disappointment and sang loud to thank the players for their efforts this season, and McHugh – a popular figure in their songs and chants – was very grateful.

“As a player and a striker it gives you a wee lift when you hear them singing your name. You’re buzzing before the game even starts but once the whistle went it just wasn’t that type of day for me.”

“The crowd was unbelievable from the warm-up throughout the game to the end. The boys are really grateful for their support right after the game they were there for us even though we lost, and obviously they were disappointed as we were but you couldn’t tell. The boys really appreciate the support, they’ve been excellent.”