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PETER HOUSTON has urged the Falkirk fans to stop looking for ‘blood and scapegoats’ and get behind the team’s promotion push.
The Bairns support voiced their anger at various points during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to St Mirren, a result that allowed Hibs to clinch the Championship title.
Houston insists the dark mood at the Falkirk Stadium was a hinderance to his players as they sought to come back from a goal down twice in the game.
And he hopes the fans can be more positive as the Bairns look to cling on to second in the final three league games and go up to the Premiership through the play-offs.
He said: “On Saturday, we lost an early goal and they almost scored a second goal and, all of a sudden, the home fans go against you.
“They’re looking for blood and looking to pull scapegoats out.
“And that’s disappointing for me.
“Yes, we’re at home and we should be lifting them, but just sometimes, with what these boys have done over the last couple of years, we need them to help us along.
“I felt it wasn’t as good as it normally is on Saturday.
“There were scapegoats getting looked for.
“I’ve got to give the players enormous credit for the way they got over that hurdle.”
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One target for the boo boys was skipper Mark Kerr, whose second-half substitution induced jeers from the home support.
But Houston insists the 35-year-old does not deserve to be made the fall guy for substandard performances.
He added: “Mark Kerr, in my period as manager, has been absolutely sensational.
“There are periods in teams’ histories that someone is picked out as the scapegoat, and I’m very disappointed.
“Mark was the captain on Saturday. I wouldn’t say he’s playing at the top of his game, which he would admit as well, but over the last two and a half years there have been a lot more good games than bad games.
“And I, for one, see things in a game that maybe people in the stands don’t see, and that’s why he’s in my team.
“The fans themselves nominated and voted for him as player of the year last season and you don’t just become a bad player overnight.”
