Falkirk players told to refocus on league

By CRAIG P STEWART
Published on 05/03/2013 01:28

Falkirk’s players have been told to put the excitement of reaching the Scottish Cup semi-finals behind them and get back to picking up league points tonight when Raith Rovers visit.

The Bairns are on a high after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Hamilton Accies however they now need to find a way to defeat a Kirkcaldy side that have had the better of them twice already this season.

Technical director Alex Smith said: “Saturday was a fantastic result for the players and the club but we are back to our bread and butter quickly. Going from such a high to playing a league game so quickly requires a lot of focus and I am sure our players will show that they have the capability to do that.”

Stephen Kingsley is almost certainly out after being injured in the first half on Saturday and Lyle Taylor needs a late check after he picked up a knock in the tackle that saw the Accies Jonathan page dismissed with Craig Sibbald remaining out due to an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Hamilton Accies manager Billy Reid will concentrate on the positives to get his men lifted for the visit of league leaders Morton following Saturday’s Scottish Cup exit to Falkirk. Reid said: “Of course it was a disappointing day but the players should be pleased by the performance they put in. They gave it everything but we need to move on and move on quickly as Morton will be a really tricky game.”

Defender Jonathan Page is suspended following his red card for a lunge into Lyle Taylor at the weekend and skipper Alex Neil looks set to miss out due to a recurrence of a calf injury. Jon McShane remains out with a knee injury and Andy Ryan will need a late check after returning at the weekend as a substitute following an ankle injury.

Morton face the only side they have not beaten in the First Division this season when they head for New Douglas Park with the chance to re-open a five-point gap on second-placed Partick Thistle. Mark McLaughlin is back in the squad to face his former employers after overcoming illness with only Steven Stirling missing as he recovers from a broken leg.