McHugh & Heffernan stake claims for Falkirk deals

Attacking duo Bob McHugh and Paul Heffernan will travel with Falkirk to their training camp in Ireland this week looking to secure contracts after making 45-minute appearances against Queen’s Park in a 5-0 closed-door win.
Paul Heffernan: Scored from the spot. Picture: Lisa FergusonPaul Heffernan: Scored from the spot. Picture: Lisa Ferguson
Paul Heffernan: Scored from the spot. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Former Hibs captain Liam Craig trained with Falkirk before the game but did not feature, while former Motherwell striker McHugh started and ex-Killie, Hibs and Dundee front man Heffernan appeared for the second half.

A clever flick by McHugh allowed John Baird to volley in a fine opening goal after 20 minutes, and Falkirk went two ahead when Blair Alston chipped over advancing goalkeeper Willie Muir.

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David Smith thumped home within two minutes of the restart before Heffernan lashed in a penalty.

On-loan Aberdeen goalkeeper Danny Rogers saved three times in one-on-one situations before Smith completed the scoring with a fierce 20-yard drive.

McHugh and Heffernan can stake further claims when Peter Houston’s side meet Athlone Town tomorrow night and Drogheda United on Saturday. The Falkirk manager said: “It is no secret that we are looking for an experienced striker. In fact we could maybe look to get two in, but we will not be rushing.”

Queen’s Park’s head coach Gus MacPherson said: “Falkirk’s last game was the Scottish Cup final and for half the lads we had playing their last game was at a Junior or an amateur level. It was a great opportunity to see how the trialists fared against a side with
 considerable experience.”