Football Season Guide

Falkirk are seeking to bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt after suffering an embarrassing relegation last season. The Bairns have never previously played at this level of the game since league reconstruction and are therefore in unfamiliar surroundings. Manager Ray McKinnon has enjoyed success at this standard before with Brechin and knows what is required of his side to fight back. In comparison to their rivals, Falkirk have spent lavishly on new additions, although equally they lost the bulk of the squad that saw them relegated in the first place. Many fans will have been happy to see a clearout of players, with 14 in total departing. Leading the line will be Conor Sammon, a player who has dropped down from the Premiership with Hearts and someone who should be amply good enough to score 20 goals at this level. With Denny Johnstone and Declan McManus available as offensive options, Falkirk have a wealth of artillery that should easily be good enough to finish the league as the top scoring side. Moreover, in the midfield, they have plenty of creativity between Aidan Connolly, Charlie Telfer and Michael Tidser, while steel in that sector is provided by Morgaro Gomis. Centre-back Lewis Toshney was not necessarily a success at this standard during a loan deal to Brechin last season but, with Gregor Buchanan, Mark Durnan and Michael Doyle all options for the back line, again there is ample depth an quality. Behind them is former Scotland squad goalkeeper Cammy Bell; again a player surely too good for this standard. Perhaps the only warning so far for Falkirk is a modest League Cup campaign, in which they scored unconvincing wins over Stranraer and Berwick. Nevertheless, they pushed Premiership Livingston to penalties and Championship hopefuls Ayr to a 2-1 loss.