Falkirk keeper Rogers plans joy and pain for Bairns

Danny Rogers is working on glory FOR Falkirk today - so he can battle AGAINST the Bairns next season!
Danny Rogers and Paul Watson foiled Kris Boyd. Picture Michael Gillen.Danny Rogers and Paul Watson foiled Kris Boyd. Picture Michael Gillen.
Danny Rogers and Paul Watson foiled Kris Boyd. Picture Michael Gillen.

The goalkeeper will return to parent club Aberdeen after this afternoon’s Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final second leg.

And he wants to be facing up to his former club next season when he’s back at Pittodrie.

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Rogers was a stand-out on Thursday in the first leg, denying Kris Boyd and Tope Obadeyi and keeping a clean sheet against Kilmarnock. Will Vaulks fired the late, late winner handing Falkirk the advantage going into today’s final at Rugby Park.

19-05-2016. Picture Michael Gillen. FALKIRK. Falkirk Stadium. Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final first leg. Falkirk FC v Kilmarnock FC. Paul Watson 44 and Kris Boyd 9.19-05-2016. Picture Michael Gillen. FALKIRK. Falkirk Stadium. Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final first leg. Falkirk FC v Kilmarnock FC. Paul Watson 44 and Kris Boyd 9.
19-05-2016. Picture Michael Gillen. FALKIRK. Falkirk Stadium. Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final first leg. Falkirk FC v Kilmarnock FC. Paul Watson 44 and Kris Boyd 9.

He told The Falkirk Herald: “That was my last game at The Falkirk Stadium and to get a clean sheet and play well, I’m delighted. I just really hope I’m playing against Falkirk next season in the Premiership, because it’ll mean we’ve done the business at Rugby Park.

“For a lot of us it was the biggest game of our career, and we’re delighted with the result. We only need a draw there, but we won’t hold back and we’ll go for it. We are confident and only one game from promotion.”

Rogers has developed into an excellent goalkeeper for the Bairns this season and is expected to challenge for a start at the Dons next season after more than two-years picking up experience at Dumbarton, Airdrie and Falkirk on loan.

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He showed he’s capable by playing well against Premiership opposition on Thursday night.

19-05-2016. Picture Michael Gillen. FALKIRK. Falkirk Stadium. Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final first leg. Falkirk FC v Kilmarnock FC. Paul Watson 44 and Kris Boyd 9.19-05-2016. Picture Michael Gillen. FALKIRK. Falkirk Stadium. Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final first leg. Falkirk FC v Kilmarnock FC. Paul Watson 44 and Kris Boyd 9.
19-05-2016. Picture Michael Gillen. FALKIRK. Falkirk Stadium. Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership play-off final first leg. Falkirk FC v Kilmarnock FC. Paul Watson 44 and Kris Boyd 9.

“I was just doing my job, putting myself out there and the ball seemed to hit me. I’m just delighted to help the lads out and make the decent saves.

“Boyd was very dangerous in the air but Paul Watson dealt with him brilliantly – that was Paul’s best game all season in the air. We need to watch [Boyd] on Sunday and get tighter to him.”

The Bairns do have a one-goal cushion going into today’s game thanks to Will Vaulks’ strike in the 91st minute, and Rogers knew it was coming late on, even if his side were underm pressure by Killie from the start.

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He added: “They started really well, we seemed a bit nervous but weathered the storm. Kilmarncok are probably kicking themselves they didn’t get something out the game because they had chances but we do it every week and get goals out of nowhere.

“The boys always fight and we have the advantage going into the second leg.

“I knew this is it when Luke [Leahy] got the free-kick, I saw him give it to Sibbs and I thought ‘this is definitely it’ and Will just hits it so well.

“There might have been a bit of luck but it’s gone straight in and we’ll take them all day.

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“Fans were brilliant and have been the past few seasons and all season actually. When we were under pressure in the first 20 minutes they still backed us and we could hear them. They’ve been the 12th man for us.”