Falkirk desire win over Rangers to keep Hibs at bay

Peter Houston: Business end. Picture: SNS

Houston’s side are second, 14 points behind the Ibrox club, but sit three points ahead of Hibs and are determined to stay there.

Houston said: “It really is the business end of things now and we have to be looking to take something from every game. With the live TV and a full house this game is great for the club and great for the game but we have to remember that winning the three points is what is important.

“Rangers have their ambitions but then again so do Falkirk. This is a massive game for us and it would be great to repeat the win we had over them at our place just before Christmas.”

With Hibs on double cup duty in the past week after a run of three league defeats Falkirk missed a chance to create a bigger advantage when they drew 1-1 against ten-man Dumbarton last Saturday.

Houston added: “We played well for the first hour or so of that game. John Baird did his usual immaculate job from the penalty spot to get us ahead, however the sending off of Mark Docherty and the resultant goal did more for Dumbarton than it did for us.

“We should have been looking to go two ahead however we paid the price of losing a bit of shape and changing the way we were playing.

“Christian [Nade] won them the penalty and we have no complaints about the decision. We gained a point on Hibs but it felt that we had dropped two especially as they have two games in hand on us now.”

On-loan Aberdeen goalkeeper Danny Rogers was at fault for giving away the injury-time spot kick but Houston was quick to point out that the shot-stopper was a huge influence when Falkirk beat Rangers back in December.

Houston said: “Danny was perhaps a bit rash with his challenge however he was a hero against Rangers the last time they were here. That game had three penalties in it and he saved one right at the end to earn us the win. I am sure that he will bounce back.”

The Bairns have Aaron  Muirhead available after a ban against Dumbarton but Peter Grant and Connor McGrandles are out long-term.