Robbie ready for domestic duties on foreign shores

Robbie Thomson believes so. He hopes so.

The terrace chant is never more true than this weekend when Falkirk make the trip across the Irish sea, then the Emerald Isle, to meet Sligo Rovers in the Irn-Bru Cup.

And the Bairns goalkeeper is expecting a number of supporters will make the trip too, to the Showgrounds in the western county town for the evening kick-off on Saturday.

“It’s something a bit different,” said Thomson, who joined the Bairns in January from Hamilton.

“I know Falkirk has a good fan base so we won’t be surprised to see a fair few fans make the trip over and make the most of it. As a team we need to go over and make the most of it.”

This year is the first including teams from the League of Ireland in the competition formerly known as the Challenge Cup, which admitted Colt teams and clubs from Wales and Northern Ireland last year.

There has been disappointment in some quarters of Challenge Cup chances being diluted by the top tier youth teams, and the teams from non-Scottish leagues, but Thomson welcomes the changes.

“Sometimes these competitions need a wee re-jig and as players I think a lot of us are looking forward to going over there and playing against a team we haven’t met before and one who we don’t know a whole lot about.

“It means something, and we’ll obviously do our homework beforehand but it’ll be a good experience for us and hopefully we do well when we’re over there.

“It’s something else to win as well, another cup.

“We’re disappointed about the league cup exit, so while it’s maybe a good trip for the supporters but it’s also good for the players and the club in general that we put together a little cup run.

“Falkirk have had that in bigger competitions like the Scottish Cup. This squad is no different. We want to do well and win cups so hopefully that happens this weekend. We’re going over to win a game of football, first and foremost.”

When related to the club’s poor start in the league campaign a weekend off and an awkward trip away might not be ideal – but it could have its positives. The players enjoyed a team bonding meet-up on Tuesday and the trip away could further unite the squad in one push back into the promotion reckoning.

“It could be good for team morale being away altogether and getting on.

“It’s been disappointing. All through pre-season was geared towards a right strong start and we were flying in the Betfred Cup, playing really well and getting some really good results, that’s why when the league starts, it’s adding a bit more disappointment to it from playing so well to not getting the results we want.

“It’s a long season. We are only a few games in but the same happened last year and we managed to recover.

“I’ve no doubt we can recover I have no doubts we will and we need to make sure we get back on track.

“It might not happen with the flick of a switch, but it’s definitely something we’re working hard to get back to winning ways. This might just be the ideal opportunity.”