BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Peter Houston insists the return of injured pair Tom Taiwo and Bob McHugh will be like having two new Falkirk signings – as St Johnstone line up a move for Blair Alston.
St Johnstone have informed the Bairns they intend to hold talks with Alston over a pre-contract that would see the midfielder, who will turn 24 in March, join the McDiarmid Park outfit in the summer.
As the Championship men brace themselves for losing a player who has played nearly 200 first-team games, Houston is excited about the imminent comebacks of Taiwo and McHugh.
Both played for the club’s under-20s in Tuesday’s 4-0 defeat to their Dundee counterparts following lengthy lay-offs.
Taiwo lasted around 75 minutes in his first outing since sustaining a knee injury in the 1-0 victory over Morton on October 17.
McHugh, who was previously plagued by problems with both ankles, made way after an hour as he returned from a hamstring injury picked up on November 21.
Houston commented: “That will be like two new players when they’re available.
“Tom has been brilliant for me since he came in, so that’s great news. He’s been a big player for us and has been very consistent.
“He’s been training for the last couple of weeks and Bob has been training as well, so he’ll be like a new striker.
“Bob’s career just hasn’t clicked at Falkirk but I honestly believe there’s goals in Bob McHugh.
Bad luck
“He was unfortunate to injure his ankle and then do his other ankle, and then he was doing quite well and tore his hamstring.
“It’s just been bad luck and so hopefully he can get a run at it between now and the end of the season
“It will add to the strength in depth I’ve been hoping to get in the pool.”
Alston made his debut for Falkirk aged just 18 in 2010 and has been a regular first-team member since.
However, having seen the likes of Jay Fulton, Stephen Kingsley, Murray Wallace and Conor McGrandles secure transfers away during his time at the club he may decide it is time to move on and have a stab at playing in the Premiership.
