John McGlynn on Falkirk's 'bucket list' win over Celtic and Scott Bain showing why he should be Scotland No 1
Falkirk boss John McGlynn on ‘ticking off’ bucket list Celtic win and Scott Bain showing his Scotland credentials.
John McGlynn hailed stopper Scott Bain and his Falkirk team-mates for ‘ticking off’ one of his bucket list wishes as Bairns boss last Sunday.
Four-time Scotland cap Bain made a string of key saves against his former club Celtic to help Falkirk secure a 2-0 victory against the reigning champions on home turf - with that win making it four in a row in the Scottish Premiership.
The Bairns ended a 19-year wait to beat Celtic, with the three points also ensuring that the current crop matched Falkirk’s top-flight four-game winning run under John Hughes that ended in early 2008.
Scott Bain shines for Falkirk in Celtic win
“It was one of the boxes left to tick,” McGlynn beamed. “And thankfully, we have done that. Last season, we got two points out of 24 against the Old Firm, drawing twice against Rangers. We’re now one point better off already. Hopefully there are more points to pick up. We’ve climbed the table and look forward to going to Tynecastle next weekend.”
Falkirk got off to the perfect start against Martin O’Neill’s side, with in-form winger Ethan Ross opening the scoring after just three minutes.
Scott Tanser, who started in place of the injured Leon McCann at left back, made it 2-0 just before half time with a brilliant finish on the angle after neat work by Derby County loanee Owen Eames.
Up the other end, Celtic did have a number of chances but goalkeeper Bain had the game of his life - with the number of saves he made hitting double figures.
On his side’s performance, McGlynn added: “It was really satisfying. Huge credit to my players. It was a remarkable shift. I don’t want to take anything away from the outfield players but Scott Bain had the game of his life. That’s our fourth win on the bounce, and three clean sheets in a row so I’m ecstatic.
“To get a goal so early is beyond your wildest dreams because you’re usually chasing the game - but to have the goal cushion... I can’t remember us being 2-0 up against. There was a long time to go still and things could have turned. But we defended well. Scott was there when needed to punch or save.
“There’s been a togetherness that’s taken us to another rung of the ladder and they are all going the extra mile for each other. This will increase our determination to get better. At the start of the season, we had some big fixtures which is difficult when you are putting a team together.”
Manager McGlynn also said after the victory - which was a third successive clean sheet for the Bairns - that Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli must consider handing Bain the No 1 jersey.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper made the Belgium’s first-ever squad but didn’t play any of the four Nations League clashes. Previous to that, Bain inexplicably didn’t make Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad, with Rangers benchs-warmer Liam Kelly going instead.
McGlynn said: “If ever there was a statement about putting Scott into the Scotland goal, that was it. I’ve been pushing Scott for a while because I know how calm and good with his feet he is. Everything you want he’ll deliver. He can’t go unnoticed. He could easily be doing a job for Celtic, but I’m delighted we’ve got him.”