After an impressive return to the Scottish Premiership, Falkirk manager John McGlynn is targeting another top-six finish despite a summer of change.
The Bairns lost a number of their influential players at the end of last season, including top scorer Barney Stewart.
They begin their new campaign against St Mirren on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, with McGlynn continuing to set ambitious goals.
“If you can do it once, you can do it twice,” he told Sky Sports News.
Every match across the opening weekend is live on Sky Sports!
- Friday July 31: Dundee Utd vs Rangers (8pm)
- Saturday August 1: Falkirk vs St Mirren (3pm)
- Saturday August 1: Aberdeen vs Hearts (5.30pm)
- Sunday August 2: St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock (2pm)
- Sunday August 2: Hibernian vs Motherwell (4.30pm)
- Monday August 3: Celtic vs Dundee (7.30pm)
But we also understand that the second season is probably going to be more difficult.
“[There’s been a] bigger change-around in players; it’s the first time we’ve made such a big change.” We lost 15 players at the end of last season, including some big players.
“Barney is going to West Brom, Calvin [Miller] is going to Hearts, and we’re losing Dylan [Tait] to Dundee United – along with all the loan players who had done really well for us.
Falkirk’s top scorer Barney Stewart has signed for West Brom
“We’re always ambitious. We want to do as well as we can. Like many teams, first and foremost, you’ve got to stay in the league.
“That’s what we tried to do last season. We targeted 15 points after the first 11 games. We managed to replicate that through the second lot of games and the third to get to 45 points, which got us in a very, very comfortable position.
“That’s a target we’ll be trying to achieve if possible. At this stage, we can achieve anything.
Committed to Falkirk amid Scottish speculation
Falkirk manager John McGlynn tells Sky Sports News he is flattered by links to the vacant Scotland job but insists he is fully committed to the Bairns.
Many have touted the 64-year-old as a potential Scotland head coach following Steve Clarke’s resignation after their World Cup exit.
While flattered, McGlynn insists he is concentrating on the new Premiership season.
“It’s wonderful for such high-profile people in the game to be pushing my name for that job,” the former Hearts boss added.
“I am obviously totally committed here, and I’ve had no contact whatsoever, so I’m very focused on the job, but it is very nice for the people who have been putting me forward and supporting me in that way.
“I think they know what I’m like and how well I’ve done, so it’s some kind of recognition. It’s nice to hear, but I’m focused on the job right now.
Steve Clarke stepped down as Scotland boss following their World Cup exit
Asked if he would be interested if the Scottish FA made contact, he added: “Obviously, the SFA will need to go through the proper procedure and speak to the club and see where it goes if it comes to that.
“I’m just focused on what I’m doing right now.”
