Falkirk boss John McGlynn names his manager of year picks as Swansea City loanee returns for Motherwell clash
Falkirk boss John McGlynn reveals his manager of the year picks ahead of ‘Well clash as Filip Lissah returns.
Swansea City loan star will be available for selection against Motherwell this Saturday after missing out on the trip to Celtic Park, Falkirk boss John McGlynn has confirmed.
The defender, 21, was a notable absence from the Bairns’ backline last weekend with goalkeeper Scott Bain and mainstay Liam Henderson also missing. But the versatile full-back will be for this Saturday’s crucial post-split Scottish Premiership clash. The Bairns are unbeaten this season against Jens Bethel Askou’s team and that needs to continue if Falkirk want to catch Hibs in fifth. The Fir Park visitors will be looking to end their hoodoo over McGlynn’s men after an impressive win against Rangers at Ibrox last time out.
Falkirk still have some injury woes despite being able to welcome back Lissah with Bain and Henderson still out. Manager McGlynn also revealed that another duo have struggled this week.
More injury issues for Falkirk
“Dylan Tait looks like a doubt at this time,” the boss admitted. “We’ve got Filip (Lissah) back, but we won't have Scott Bain or Liam Henderson. I think Calvin (Miller) is going to be alright, he picked up a knock also. But it is not great. For Scott, we are pushing for next week if things continue to go well, his scan was good news.”
Earlier this week, McGlynn was nominated for the Managers and Coaches Association of Scotland Manager of the Year award, organised by PFA Scotland, for the third year running. The 64-year-old gaffer is going for three in a row, having won the award in 2025 and 2024 for leading Falkirk to the Scottish League One and Scottish Championship titles back to back. This time around, the veteran coach - who has won the top prize three times overall - is up against two familiar faces in Hearts boss Derek McInnes and Stenhousemuir manager Gary Naysmith.
McGlynn thanked his Falkirk colleagues for his latest manager of the year nomination and admitted he had his next opponent on his own shortlist. The omission of ‘Well gaffer Berthel Askou was a big surprise for most after the instant impact that the Dane has had on the Scottish top flight with the North Lanarkshire high-flyers.
“It's a privilege and an honour, obviously, your fellow managers voting for you,” McGlynn said. "All due to the work that's been done in the background and on the pitch, obviously. Managers can't get nominated for these things if the players aren't doing the business, the whole backroom staff, everyone involved. I'm getting the recognition, but it's a recognition for the football club. I have heard people saying we've been a breath of fresh air. I think we've certainly brought something to the Premiership, the same as we brought something to the Championship from League One."
The former Hearts and Raith Rovers manager added: "Motherwell have been outstanding, absolutely outstanding. The football team are fantastic, and the manager's been great to turn that around in a very, very short time. And it's quite topical that Jens has not made it into the nominations for the manager of the year,. You get two votes and I voted for Derek McInnes and Jens. And if I get beat by one, I'll be kicking myself. I'm only kidding but I think he's done a great job. But to be there for so long, for me, it has to be Derek McInnes ."