Falkirk can leapfrog Rangers into second place in the Scottish Premiership with a win over Hearts at the Falkirk Stadium. A victory would also cut the gap to leaders Celtic to just three points and extend their unbeaten run to ten matches across all competitions.

Manager Wouter Vrancken’s side are still searching for their first league win of the campaign, having taken just two points from their opening five fixtures. They currently sit 11th in the table, a position that underlines the importance of this rescheduled fixture. Their last outing was a 1-1 draw away to Dundee United, where Josh Murrell’s early goal was cancelled out by a late equaliser.

McGlynn’s overhaul and a familiar face

This match is a reunion with former manager John McGlynn, who oversaw a significant summer overhaul of the squad. Among the long-serving players who remain is winger Ethan Ross, who arrived initially on loan in 2023. The game also sees the return of Calvin Miller, who left Falkirk for Hearts and European football after a prolific season. Miller contributed nine goals and 11 assists for Falkirk last term.

“Definitely. There’s no doubt what Calvin did for us over the past three years from League One was amazing,” said Ethan Ross. McGlynn himself was effusive in his praise, stating, “Calvin was immense that night, absolutely immense. You couldn’t have been any prouder for him that night, than at any time.”

Vrancken’s selection options

The hosts will be without attacker Joe Gardner, who is sidelined for two months with a thigh tear. In better news, full-back Christian Borchgrevink is back in the fold at Hearts after making eight appearances for them last season, mostly from the bench.

For the visitors, winger Josh McPake has played himself into Vrancken’s starting XI with impressive performances against Dundee United, Rapid Vienna and Hibs. His form was recently rewarded with a call-up to the Belgium national team’s first squad under new manager Sebastien Pocognoli.

Falkirk’s recent form shows two draws and three losses in their last five league games, a run they are desperate to end. They have scored just three goals while conceding seven in the Premiership so far. The full schedule ahead, including a key away match against bottom side Kilmarnock on 30 December, is available on our fixtures page. A positive result against Hearts would provide vital momentum before that encounter and lift the team from the lower reaches of the standings.

The match was originally scheduled earlier in the season but was postponed to give Hearts, who defeated Rapid Vienna on penalties in the Conference League playoffs, a free week between European legs. Falkirk won all four meetings with Hearts last season and were the only side to beat them at Tynecastle, a penalty shootout victory in the Scottish Cup. They also progressed past Stranraer in the Premier Sports Cup this season to set up a semi-final with Hibernian. The team now needs to translate that cup form into league points, starting with this fixture.

The original report is at Daily Record Football