BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
PETER Houston has warned Falkirk that this season’s Championship is going to be tougher without Rangers in the division.
The Bairns have begun the new campaign slowly but finally picked up their first league victory with a narrow 1-0 win over Dumbarton at the weekend.
After defeats to Hibs and Queen of the South, and a draw against Morton, last term’s beaten play-off finalists desperately needed to get going in their latest promotion bid.
Having finished second above Hibs in the table last season, and with Rangers and Hearts having been promoted back to the top-flight in the last two years, some may be expecting Falkirk to have it easier this term.
But Houston believes other clubs have strengthened so much that it will be even harder to succeed this season.
He said: “We’re under no illusions that this season is going to be tougher than last season.
“I say that because I think the league’s tougher. There’s no Rangers but Hibs have improved their squad, I think, from last season.
“Dundee United have just brought in two players and have made 10 signings, for a team that’s not got a lot of money, and they’ll be very strong. St Mirren have made a lot of signings, Dunfermline have made a lot of signings.
“So, I think the league’s going to be tougher than last season.
“And we have to be at it 100 per cent in every single game. That’s the message I’ve given the players.”
