McCann-do attitude secures win and puts Hughes' summer signings in favourable light

Published on Saturday 26 July 2008 19:58

Falkirk 2 D Stewart 15 og; J Stewart 17 Queen's Park Rangers 0

THERE appear to be two schools of thought about Falkirk's forthcoming SPL season: either John Hughes' raft of summer recruits – among them grizzled veterans Neil McCann, Jackie McNamara and Lee Bullen – will secure the top-six berth that only just eluded them last term, or the gamble of adding an ageing trio will ultimately backfire. On this evidence, against a supposed cash-rich side installed among the favourites for promotion to the Premiership, the former could ring true.

McCann, the 25-times-capped ex-Scotland international, rolled back the years as Falkirk secured their first pre-season victory in trademark passing style. The 33-year-old, plucked from Hearts in the summer after an injury-blighted second spell at Tynecastle, returned to his former self as he laid on both quick-fire first-half goals, bizarrely from Stewarts on either team.

During a largely tame affair, the deadlock was broken on 15 minutes. McCann cut open the Londoners' defence with a delicious, piercing ball down the inside left channel, allowing the on-rushing Gerard Aafjes to deliver a near-post cross that was bundled into his own net by the unfortunate Damion Stewart.

Just two minutes later, the Bairns doubled their advantage, with McCann again the architect. His out-swinging corner from the left was missed by the jumping Bullen, but drifted to the edge of the penalty area where the unmarked John Stewart showed tremendous technique to rifle a volley home.

Out-of-favour Stewart, on loan at Queen of the South last term, certainly gave his manager food for thought.

QPR have endured seasons of off-field shenanigans while working their way through a succession of managers, but millions are now apparently swilling around Loftus Road following the high-profile takeover of Formula One tycoons Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore last August.

At Westfield, however, they failed to hit top gear. Emmanuel Ledesma and Damien Delaney went close in the opening 45 minutes, but Iain Dowie, the former Crystal Palace and Charlton boss who was only appointed in May, would have expected more. They upped the tempo slightly after the break but the Bairns remained comfortable in possession to hold their lead and Hughes, understood to have taken Moroccan international goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh on trial as he seeks competition for Robert Olejnik, now takes his side for a three-game Dutch tour in confident mood.