Brad McKay: Being a boyhood Jambo made that win against Hibs even sweeter

Brad McKay says he savoured beating a top-flight side on Tuesday night and that being a boyhood Hearts fan made it that little bit sweeter.
By Ben Kearney
Published 14th Jul 2022, 13:32 BST
Updated 14th Jul 2022, 22:11 BST
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Falkirk defeated Lee Johnson’s Hibernian side 1-0 in group D of the Premier Sports Cup to go top, Aidan Nesbitt’s first-half header sealing that shock victory.

“I nearly burst the net at the end with the last one,” McKay explained looking back on his last-ditch defending, including three on-the-line clearances. “Thankfully I didn’t or I would have been right in the Hibs end.

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“Growing up as a Hearts fan, I got a bit of stick from them throughout the game. It made it that bit sweeter.

Brad McKay celebrates the 1-0 victory against Hibernian after the full-time whistle on Tuesday night (Photo: Michael Gillen)Brad McKay celebrates the 1-0 victory against Hibernian after the full-time whistle on Tuesday night (Photo: Michael Gillen)
Brad McKay celebrates the 1-0 victory against Hibernian after the full-time whistle on Tuesday night (Photo: Michael Gillen)

“I gave them a bit back after the game, rightly so, but they weren’t too happy about it.

“Making clearances like that is a great feeling for a defender and that is us yet to concede a goal.

“Clean sheets are a place to start and the manager is big on it. This is us without Liam Henderson and Coll Donaldson too, so it all bodes well.”

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However, the former Hearts centre-back believes the challenge now for the Bairns squad is to replicate those performance levels in the final two group matches against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic and Clyde.

Brad McKay's last-ditch clearance to deny Christian DoidgeBrad McKay's last-ditch clearance to deny Christian Doidge
Brad McKay's last-ditch clearance to deny Christian Doidge

The 33-year-old added: “It is easy to get up for a game that is live on TV against a big team with the place bouncing. We need to perform in the same manner against the other teams in the run-of-the-mill-games.

“Most teams will do to us what we did tonight – sit back and soak up pressure.

“It has been a great start for us. Bonnyrigg isn’t an easy place to go. The pitch is sloped and I saw them play last season. They are at home and I won’t disrespect them because they will fancy themselves to really challenge us.

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“Clyde is another one that we can’t overlook. It isn’t a given.

Finn Yeats and Brad McKay combine to clear the ball off the goal lineFinn Yeats and Brad McKay combine to clear the ball off the goal line
Finn Yeats and Brad McKay combine to clear the ball off the goal line

Looking back on his much-maligned campaign last term, he says he will do all he can to win over Bairns supporters.

McKay said: “Personally, last season I felt I didn’t do myself justice, and I want to show the fans what I can really do.

“It was an amazing night and the supporters were brilliant. That is what I know the Falkirk fans can do.

“I played here before joining and being on the losing side wasn’t much fun.”

Related topics:HibsClydeFalkirkLee JohnsonLiam Henderson

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