BY DARREN JOHNSTONE @CCP_Sport
Falkirk striker John Baird reckons the Bairns are destined to return to the Premiership – even if it does not happen this season.
Peter Houston’s side built on their dramatic victory over Rangers by overcoming Dumbarton in a narrow 1-0 win on Boxing Day.
Falkirk’s recent form has ensured that the battle for the Championship title, which also includes Hibs, is now a three-horse race, although the Falkirk players and management team are reluctant to admit that themselves.
Rangers and Hibs remain favourites to return to the top-flight but former Dundee and Raith Rovers marksman Baird reckons it will not be long before the Bairns, who host Livingston tonight, are once again competing in Scotland’s elite league.
Baird said: “If you look at the club’s above us, they have far greater resources than what we have but we’re a right good club.
“If you look at the crowd again on Saturday, it was over 4,000. There’s not many teams in the Premiership that have the kind of crowd that we’ve got.
“One way or the other this club will eventually get back to the Premiership, sooner rather than later.
“At the moment, I’ll back up what the gaffer’s saying in playing down our chances.
“It’s up to everyone else to decide whether we’re in it, it’s not going to come from in here.
“But sooner or later someone will have to give us a wee bit of respect.
“Has that been lacking? I don’t know, we’ve only been beaten twice this season. Regardless of where Hibs and Rangers are, it’s still a good achievement where we are.”
Both Rangers and Hibs are expected to bolster their squads during the January transfer window and Baird hopes manager Houston’s is also able to bring in new recruits to keep everyone on their toes
The 30-year-old said: “We’ve got a good squad here and it would need to be right good players that came in.
“If we can get them in, that’s even better for the players that are here.
“Some people might not want people in to challenge for the position they’re in but I think it drives us on.
“With the strikers, Kevin O’Hara has come in and that’s made us a a strike force of five, that’s counting Scotty Shepherd as well.”
