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PETER Houston has had a plea for transfer funds turned down by the Falkirk board, despite the club receiving two cash windfalls in recent days.
The Bairns have taken in further instalments from the deals to sell Stephen Kingsley to Swansea City and Will Vaulks to Rotherham United, and it remains to be seen whether any bids come in for in-demand, £750,000-rated teenager Tony Gallacher.
Kingsley made his 15th first-team appearance for the Swans in the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month, entitling Falkirk to an ‘add-on’ fee, whilst another stage in Vaulks’ payments has also been reached.
Houston, whose side have managed just one win in their last seven matches, believes he needs to strengthen his squad in the current transfer window as the Bairns seek at least a promotion play-off spot.
But, with Fraser Aird and Robbie Thomson recruited only because he allowed John Rankin and Deniz Mehmet to leave, Houston has been told to forget about getting any fresh funds.
He told @CCP_sport: “I think we’re still short but I’ve got to go with the powers that be and I’m not getting any more money to spend.
“I think we’re short in the middle of midfield now. The reason I let John Rankin go was to get Fraser in. Deniz went and we brought in Robbie.
“I can only go with what I’m given and I’m not getting any more, unfortunately.
“We received benefits from Stephen Kingsley playing his 15th first-team game for Swansea and I think there’s money that has come in for the second part of Will Vaulks’ fee.
“So, there’s plenty money coming in. I’ve asked – but unfortunately I never got.”
Houston’s squad concerns have been aggravated by injuries to central midfielders Tom Taiwo and Mark Kerr, with Taiwo definitely out and Kerr doubtful for the trip to St Mirren on Saturday.
Houston added: “Tom Taiwo is going to be out for a few weeks yet. He’s had his hamstring scanned and there is a tear.
“Mark Kerr has missed training with a toe injury and if he isn’t fit then we’ll have a problem in central midfield because young Cameron Blues from the under-20s is also injured.”
