Holt blasts players after unacceptable defeat at Partick

Falkirk interim manager Gary Holt apologised for his player's performance in their 5-0 defeat to Partick Thistle

The sporting director was brutally honest in his assessment of the match which saw Thistle crowned League 1 champions as the Bairns players had to make their way off the pitch to loud celebrations.

Match Report: Partick Thistle 5-0 Falkirk

He said: "Tonight wasn't acceptable and I can only apologise to people associated with the club because that's not a performance we're happy with.

Don't forget the feeling, bottle it up and use it as fuel for the remaining game - that was Holt's message to the players after they left the pitch to the sound of Partick celebrating becoming champions

"People are trying to earn a living and a lot of this team are out of contract.

"It's not me who is going to decide whether they get one, it's the performances on the pitch and there are not too many who turned up today who can say they deserve one.

"It's not just about turning up and playing, you have to do your job to the best of your ability.

"I looked at Partick meticulously, analysed them and looked at areas where we could hurt them and we didn't use it or execute that game plan well enough.

"Nobody is going to give you anything in football, that's not how it works, did they think they would turn up tonight and Partick would give them three points?

"You have to work for it and earn the right to get success and we didn't earn the right tonight."

Falkirk face Montrose at home this weekend where a point will guarantee their place in the play-offs and a second chance at promotion.

Holt says the players shouldn’t forget the feeling of having to listen to Partick celebrate their title win, but use it as motivation for their remaining matches.

"It's not about forgetting," said Holt.

"It's about bottling it up and using it as a fuel, using that noise of Thistle celebrating, that's what it feels like.

"We came here with a chance of getting ourselves back in the fight and we didn't do it.

"We almost succumbed as soon as the first goal went in, it was as if we wilted, and that's disappointing.

"It's not part of my makeup, it's not part of what my teams are about, but we are where we are and we had to put two boys on at half time who have trained only today and were nowhere near ready.

"It's hard, you're trying to change it and put things in place but we have injuries, it's been brutal for us since we came back but that didn't cost us the game, taking responsibility on the pitch and doing your job cost us the game.

"If you're not going to stare adversity in the face and go toe to toe with it you're going to struggle."

That match with Montrose will be their penultimate league fixture before they head to Airdrieonians on Tuesday night.

Should they make the play-offs, they will be in with Cove Rangers, who have guaranteed their spot, one of Airdrie or Montrose, and the team who finish ninth in the Championship which will be decided tomorrow night in the second tier’s final round of fixtures.