BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Falkirk favourite Will Vaulks hopes to notch a hat-trick of super strikes against Rangers after admitting he seems to save his best for the Ibrox outfit.
The 22-year-old bagged a spectacular equalising goal when the sides met in Glasgow in October – and produced an even more eye-catching celebration when he carried out his trademark somersault.
However, the afternoon ultimately ended in disappointment for Vaulks, with Mark Warburton’s men running out 3-1 winners during a feisty finale in Govan.
Better was to come for the former Tranmere Rovers man on December 19 when his beautifully crisp low drive proved to be the winning goal in the Bairns’ 2-1 triumph over the Gers at the Falkirk Stadium.
And he is determined to torment Rangers once again when the sides meet in Friday night’s Championship showdown, insisting Peter Houston’s men can take plenty of confidence from their previous outings against the league leaders.
Vaulks said: “I seem to only score good goals against them, so hopefully there will be another.
“I thought the last time we played them at home (2-1 win) we were brilliant. I thought we dominated that game against a team like Rangers, except from a bit of pressure in the last 25 minutes when we had to defend well.
“The fact that we have already taken points off them should give us belief that we can, especially with us being at home. I fancy us.”
With Hibs not in Championship action again until Saturday, a win would see the Bairns open up a six-point cushion in second place, albeit Alan Stubbs’ side would boast three games in hand.
Their position could have been even more provision – but they blew a 1-0 lead against 10-man Dumbarton on Saturday, with a last-minute Garry Fleming penalty handing the Sons a share of the spoils.
Nevertheless, Vaulks knows a shock win over the Gers would pile more pressure on a Hibs side which has lost its last three league matches.
He told Falkirk TV: “We are in the playoffs unless we have a disaster, so now we want to push for second.
“That is why the Dumbarton result hurt a little bit more at the weekend. To be five points clear of Hibs, albeit with their two games in hand, would have put a bit of pressure on them.
“But three points ahead isn’t bad, and they still have to play Rangers as well, so hopefully we can pick up something at home on Friday night and see where that takes us.”
