KASPER BACKS THE BAIRNS!

Kasper Schmeichel was at Hampden on Tuesday. Picture Michael Gillen.

The former Bairns stopper, currently number one at shock Premier League leaders Leicester City, is on course to defy the odds and land the English Premier League title – and hopes his Scottish side can turn the tables on pre-season predictions north of the border and seal promotion to the Scottish top flight.

Schmeichel, back in Scotland on international duty at Hampden this week, spent six months on loan at The Falkirk Stadium in 2007 and played 15 games.

He told The Falkirk Herald: “Scotland holds a lot of fond memories for me, it taught me a lot being here and I was very happy with my time at Falkirk and it was nice to be back up for the game this week.

“Falkirk is a club which I am very fond of. They showed a lot of faith in me from an early age and I hope they do really well.

“I always have a look for their results and they’re doing alright at the moment – hopefully they can keep it going to the end of the season.

“I hope that they continue to do really well and can get back up to the top flight.”

Keeper coach Jim Preston went south to scout Joe Hart, but returned with his City team-mate who spent half a season at Westfield. When an extension couldn’t be agreed for the Dane, Preston recruited Tim Krul and both have used Falkirk as a stepping stone to bigger and better things, and now Schmeichel hopes both Falkirk and the Foxes can do likewise to finish the season on a high.

“I’ve played Tim a few times,” added Schemichel. “The spells we had at Falkirk have been good for the both of us.”