Falkirk’s Technical Director Alex Smith reckons that the Bairns were wise to choose the managerial experience of Peter Houston over youthful energy when it came to replacing Gary Holt in the summer.
The Bairns, who host Rangers tonight, opted for their one time playing hero and former Dundee United manager Houston to become their new boss in the summer after a run of first time appointments in Eddie May, Steven Pressley and then Holt.
Smith said: “I believe that all the appointments were the correct ones as the club developed however bringing in a more experienced manager was the right call for the expectations that are in place now.”
“Eddie, Steven and Gary all helped bring through young players and a time where the club could not invest heavily in their playing staff and the expectation levels on them were not too great.”
“The young players are now men and the expectations have increased for Falkirk. It was right to bring in a manager with more experience to help with that especially this season when the title race is going to be massive.”
Smith added: “I was heading for Australia on holiday when the Board got wind that Gary was leaving and I was asked what type of manager the club should go for. I said that they should look to get some experience in and by the time I had landed on the other side of the world they said they were thinking about approaching Peter and I told them to go for it.”
“He is just the manager we need in what will be an exciting season. Preparing for and handling big games like this will be nothing new for Peter as will coping with having them with great regularity as is the case this season. I am sure he will be a success.”
Houston’s side will be tested at the Falkirk Stadium by an Ibrox side looking to make up for losing to Hearts last weekend however the Bairns will just be as determined after being held 2-2 by Cowdenbeath in their opening fixture.
Smith said: “I am not a great believer that Rangers losing their last game makes things harder for us as they would be coming here to win anyway. However we want a result as whilst you could say that it was a point gained last weekend as we were behind twice it really was two points lost. We should have had the game won before Cowdenbeath got in front.”
“We keep on hearing that the Championship is a three horse race with Rangers, Hearts and Hibs but we want to be in the mix. We are not in the league to make up the numbers.”
“We want to be involved in the promotion race and doing well in this game will confirm that.”
Falkirk have listed the same squad as the one that drew at Central Park with Kieran Duffie, Thomas Grant and Lewis Small all missing with knocks with Smith confirming that no deal has been offered yet to former Livingston, Kilmarnock and Dundee United striker Rory Boulding who has been training with the club.
.png){kind=logo}
