Falkirk hero Jacob Murrell on his Erling Haaland-style celebration, Hibs victory and ‘unreal’ fan backing

In-form Jacob Murrell hailed the “incredible” backing of the Falkirk fans after the forward made it three goals in just two Scottish Premiership outings last Saturday.

The American striker, 22, netted a brilliant first-half brace against Hibs to help secure a crucial 2-1 victory at Easter Road - with the victory in Leith completing an Edinburgh double, with the Bairns’ only other league three points so far coming against Hearts at home.

And he was quick to praise the travelling supporters, who were rewarded for making the trip to the capital after recent late-goal disappointments on the road against St Johnstone and Dundee United.

Falkirk fans helped secure Hibs victory

"The fans kicked us over the finish line,” Murrell beamed. "They've been incredible away from home at every single game this year, and at home too. They've always been there with a full support and they're really the key to getting us over the finish line today.

"There was a point ten minutes or so to go when I had a moment with the fans after the ball went out of play for a corner. It just gives you a second energy and another life to try and kick on, even when you're tired, even when you're cramping, that type of thing.”

Maryland native Murrell had some special supporters in the away end, with his parents Maureen and Greg attending the match alongside his cousin Scott.

And he showed just what he can do on the pitch with two fine finishes. The forward powered home a stunning opener from Ryan Strain’s pass after 13 minutes before going on to roof home a second seven minutes before half time. That time around, Murrell made the most of a tight angle to beat Raphael Sallinger in net.

"Both my parents and cousin are over from the US,” he explained. “And they were here today. It's just a special moment. They were with all of our fans and I'm sure that they were loving it.

"It's a really special day for me to have them here and then to score two and win the game on top of that is just, I can't really explain how much it means to me.

“Since the international break, I've been able to settle in my apartment, and get into a good routine. All of that sort of stuff. It's given me a lot of confidence to just kick on.

"I think getting settled during the first month or so was a little bit difficult, trying to figure out living situation, car, all that stuff. Now I'm settled and into a good routine and just full of confidence. I want to keep going.”

On his two strikes, Murrell added: “They both hit the back to the net. I'm happy with both of them! I think the finish is probably a harder finish than the first one. I had to run on to it first time. Whereas the second one, I was just trying to roof it.”

After scoring his and Falkirk’s first goal against Hibs, the striker produced a ‘zen’ celebration - much like Manchester City ace Erling Haaland who marks his goals with the same meditative pose.

Murrell explained that he has been practising a relaxation technique called non-sleep deep rest, and that his Haaland-style celebration in front of the home crowd came from that.

He revealed: "On the way to the game today, I've been doing this thing called NSDR. It's non-sleep deep rest, it kind of simulates sleeping. It's a sort of meditation practice and I was really amped up for the game.

"My family's here this week for the first time and so I was really amped up for the game and just trying to calm the nerves and I did that on the team bus. It maybe looked like I was sleeping if anyone looked at me, but I was fully awake just trying to relax the nerves and get into the right headspace. That's where the celebration came from!”

Maturity key going forward, says Falkirk hero

Falkirk now sit in ninth spot in the top flight having earned nine points from their opening nine fixtures. And the victory over Hibs was another sign that McGlynn’s new-look side are more than capable of pushing up the table - if they can continue to cut out the late goals.

When asked if his team-mates could take confidence from shutting out the Easter Road outfit for the duration of what was at times a very difficult second half, Murrell said: "Yeah, for sure. That was a big message this week.

“When you look at our past results, we're there but not actually getting over the finish line. Dundee United away, St Johnstone away, Dundee at home. Conceding last-minute goals when we have the result there, it's a maturity thing for us.

"It's looking at it in the eye and saying, this is where we are right now and we have to get over the finish line. We got there today and we've talked about it all week. We talked about set pieces as well.

"It was a big one for us this week. I think we did both those things incredibly well. When you look at our set pieces, especially towards the end of the game, we did a great job clearing the ball into good areas and clearing our lines and really not giving them a sniff with the second opportunity.

"I'm just really proud of the group and the way that we came together this week and knew that it was a big opportunity to get a result and we took it.”