John McGlynn hails ‘huge three points’ as Falkirk beat Hibernian

Falkirk boss John McGlynn wants his side to build on their 2-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road.

The Bairns have had a topsy-turvy season, having beaten Hearts in their only other William Hill Premiership win, but McGlynn hopes this triumph gives his side a boost.

A Jacob Murrell double had the Bairns 2-0 up inside 37 minutes in Edinburgh, and though Owen Elding pulled a goal back for the hosts just before the interval, Falkirk could have been out of sight.

A much better second-half performance from Hibs had Falkirk on the ropes at times, but the visitors held out for a win that moves them up to ninth in the table.

McGlynn said: “We are, as a whole club, delighted. We had a few sore ones recently, with losing late goals, and we were potentially in that situation today. I’m glad we got ourselves in front, and to be able to hold out, I’m so proud of the players.

“They put in a hell of a lot of work, we managed to have a week to work with players, change things, and you have to adapt.

“It was a great ball by Ryan Strain to put Jacob in, he’s hit it so clean, so well, and there’s a little bit of an error in defence, and he’s cashed in on that as well.

“I would like to have gone in at half-time at 2-0, Scott Bain has had a save in the half at his near post with his feet, Hibs had a lot of the ball, and that continued into the second half.

“Bain had another really good save from, I think, Jamie McGrath, low to his right-hand side.

“But it was all about winning for us. We’ve been in positions when we were winning, but have come away with either a draw or not anything at all, so it’s a huge three points for us.

“From here we want to try and kick on. We had a similar situation when we beat Hearts, we went to Perth, St Johnstone in the next game, we were 1-0 up, and lost a goal with the last kick of the ball.

“I’m glad we’ve got over that and given the players a lot of confidence to get through this one.”

Hibs boss Marink Reedijk was bemused in defeat as he made an unhappy home debut, with the Edinburgh side hitting bottom of the table.

He said: “I think we are a thief of our own wallet. We gave away two easy goals, dominated the game, created a few good chances and we have to create even more.

“I think we dominated, but we need to make more out of this game. If you dominate in this way, you can’t lose.

“They take a good shot on goal two times, their first two shots on goal from what I remember – and maybe I don’t remember it correctly – go in.

“We need to keep our heads up high, make sure we keep doing what we’re doing and improve these things, because compared to last week I think we saw a better Hibernian.”