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PETER Houston insists Aaron Muirhead is on Falkirk’s penalties for good after netting spot-kicks in their last two matches.
The defender stepped up to the mark in the recent 3-0 win over Dundee United after regular taker John Baird had been substituted with an injury.
And the 26-year-old, who scored eight for previous club Partick Thistle and five for Annan Athletic, successfully converted from the spot for the second successive game in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Morton.
Baird, who had a penalty saved against Ayr United last month, could return to face Dumbarton on Saturday afternoon but Houston insists Muirhead will continue in the role as he long as he keeps scoring.
Houston said: “Aaron used to take the penalties for Partick Thistle for years, and I don’t know why he came off them.
“He can hit them both sides, left or right, and I think he proved on Saturday he can do it.
“It’s always a relief because when you’re missing penalty kicks it’s a worry, and wee Bairdy’s missed a few and Luke Leahy missed one at Ayr United earlier in the season as well.
“It’s a confidence thing, to make sure you hit the ball right, and Aaron’s done it.
“So, he’s the penalty taker until he’s thrown off it, but hopefully that doesn’t happen because that will mean he’s scored them all.”
STRONG
With four wins and two draws, Falkirk are unbeaten in the league in 2017 to get their bid for promotion firmly back on track.
But Houston has warned they will have to be at the top of the game to see off Dumbarton.
He added: “Dumbarton are a totally different threat. Stevie Aitken has done a good job and he’s recruited well in January.
“They look quite strong, they’ve got good experienced players in there and brought in Ian Durrant as assistant-manager.
“Durranty knows the game well and he’s experienced. He’s a good guy and by all accounts he’s good at what he does. He’s been round the block through some hard times at Rangers and it was a great appointment.
“It will be a tough fixture. Although we’ve done well in this round of fixtures, we’ve still got a lot to do.”
