Falkirk boss John McGlynn on Barney Stewart hit and ‘sporting integrity’ ahead of Hearts trip & more related news here

John McGlynn believes his players have work to do on Wednesday night against champions-elect Hearts, even if Falkirk head to Tynecastle very depleted and with little to really play for.

The Bairns lost 3-1 to Hibs last time out in the Scottish Premiership, and that leaves them unlikely to catch the Easter Road side in fifth place with just two games remaining. They would have to beat the Jambos, who are unbeaten at home this season in the league, and Rangers on the final day, while hoping David Gray’s side lose to Rangers and Motherwell.

But boss McGlynn says his sporting integrity requires his players to put in a performance and try to get three points at Gorgie. The former Hearts player knows that could affect Derek McInnes’ title tilt, but he is only focused on a strong finish to what has been a remarkable campaign for Falkirk.

Speaking ahead of the clash, in which Hearts could be crowned champions if a home win is combined with a Celtic defeat, McGlynn said: “I expect Tynecastle to be absolutely great, they have been getting the fans excited from the start. Derek has done a great job with that, especially in the media to get the fans excited. He was jumping around before the Rangers game, the noise was incredible, so we should expect them to fly out of the traps. We will try to do that too, but with Hearts so close to win the league we hope they are fired up. If we can cope with that, get our foot on the ball, then we can calm the crowd down and the anxiety might set in.

“We just have to go there to do our job, sporting integrity is at stake, and we have to hold on to the hope that if we can win our two games, then maybe somewhere else they will do us a favor. Anything can happen in football. We had the opportunity last weekend but we didn’t take it, so we need favors now. It’s out of our hands and Hearts haven’t lost a league game at home all season, so it’s a big task, but we’ll try. Some coaches They will say ‘I have an honest group of players’ and that often gives the impression that they are not very good.

“Our performances and what we have done speak for themselves, so when I say they are honest I say it because I know what they do. Our defensive problems are a problem, there is no doubt about that, but they will give everything for the cause. We will be as professional as anyone, we will have our fans there and we will try to do it for them.”

Adding to Falkirk’s injury problems, McGlynn confirmed that full-back duo Leon McCann and Swansea City loanee Filip Lissah would not be available again this season. Goalkeeper Scott Bain finds himself in a similar situation, while the fact that Hearts loanee Lewis Neilson is unable to play only further compounds the defensive dilemma.

“Filip Lissah and Leon McCann left last weekend so they won’t play in the next two games,” he said. “León has a grade two hamstring tear, so he won’t be back until pre-season. Scott Bain doesn’t look like he’ll be involved in the next two games either, his foot is still hurting and he hasn’t recovered yet. He’ll be fine, but these two games will be too quick for him. Lewis Neilson can’t play against his parent club, so we have problems at the back and it will be a defense that hasn’t played together much lately. That’s a concern for these types of players. “A great game. “I knew since Saturday that some of them wouldn’t be coming, so I’ve been thinking things through since then.”

The manager also revealed that Barney Stewart has been added to the walking injured list, with the striker facing a battle to make the final game against Rangers. A foot problem has prevented him from playing in the capital as well.