BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
PETER Houston hopes his Falkirk side have developed a taste for the big time as they chase promotion back to the top-flight this season.
The Bairns hosted a record crowd for their current stadium when 7,804 fans packed in for Friday’s exhilarating 3-2 victory over Rangers.
The dramatic win placed them firmly in the driving seat in the race with Hibernian for second place in the Championship, a finish that would earn them an easier route through the play-offs.
And Houston, who insists his squad have the runners-up spot firmly in their sights, believes the big-game atmosphere should be an inspiration for his players as they bid to end an impressive campaign with the ultimate prize.
He said: “One of the things I said when I came here was I would just like to take this club back into the Premiership again. It’s been a while since we’ve been in it.
“I’ve come in here when it’s been Rangers, Hibs and Hearts, and Rangers and Hibs (in the Championship). Arguably three/two of Scotland’s biggest clubs – in terms of resources and crowds and all that.
“But what our players have done in the last 18 months is learned how to handle playing at Ibrox or Easter Road or Tynecastle. We’ve played in cup finals and semi-finals as well.
Fear
“We can adapt and the players don’t fear playing in front of big crowds like that.
“There’s nothing better than going to a football match or playing in a football match where there’s Premier crowds.
“If it’s Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United, Dundee, blah, blah, blah, it’s great. That should lift you and if it doesn’t lift you then you shouldn’t be playing football.
“What I’d like to bring back to Falkirk Football Club is that visiting end full.”
