BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Lee Miller insists manager Peter Houston agreeing a new deal has provided the Falkirk squad with a timely fillip ahead of tomorrow’s key encounter with Hibernian.
Houston has penned a two-year extension to his contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season, and handed the Bairns another boost in the wake of the loan return this week of fans’ favourite Conor McGrandles from Norwich City.
Currently on a run of 11 matches without defeat and seeking a fifth straight victory as they bid to cement their place in second in the table, the Championship challengers were hardly in need of a pick-me-up.
However, Miller believes Houston’s decision to commit his future to the club is a vote of confidence in his players as they prepare to host third-placed Hibs.
The former Aberdeen and Dundee United striker said: “It’s great that the manager has signed a new contract.
“It’s a massive boost for the players. It’s a confidence thing, because obviously he’s looking to the future and he wants to be a part of Falkirk going forward.
“That’s like the rest of us. We all do, we all want to push the club forward.”
Despite currently splitting the league’s ‘big two’ of leaders Rangers and chasers Hibs, Miller still has the feeling that Falkirk’s title challenge is not being treated seriously by most observers.
Under the radar
However, as they look to make up for their hard-luck stories in a defeat and draw with the Easter Road side so far this season, the 32-year-old reckons a victory this time round could make people finally sit up and take notice.
He added: “I genuinely do think we’re still under the radar. We’re in second position now but we’ve not really been talked about.
“Yes, people are talking about us a little bit more since the win against Rangers last month but I still think we’ve been ruled out. I think people keep expecting us to tail off as the season goes on.
“But, it would put a massive marker down, a massive marker, if we were to beat Hibs.
“In that dressing room we’re confident, we’re a confident bunch of lads, and we’re all together.
“We take every game as it comes and, you know what, if we’re up there at the end of the season then brilliant, happy days!”
