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PETER HOUSTON has urged the Falkirk boo boys to lay off Mark Kerr.
The experienced former Dundee United and Aberdeen midfielder is rated highly by Houston and is a constant presence in the team when fit.
But the Falkirk manager’s appreciation of the 35-year-old does not appear to be matched by a section of the Bairns support.
Houston is at a loss to explain the criticism aimed at the Scotland B cap but hopes Kerr knows how much he is valued by the Westfield management team.
He said: “Mark Kerr gets the wrath of the Falkirk fans.
“I’ve been in football a long time and I don’t see why he gets it.
“He’s the fittest, he very rarely gives the ball away and he gets players round about him playing.
“I don’t understand it. My knowledge of football must be different to some of the supporters.
“It’s disappointing, because he puts a lot into every single game.
“But as long as he thinks I like him then he should be happy with that, and I think he is.”
Falkirk, minus suspended pair Craig Sibbald and Lee Miller, host Queen of the South on Saturday seeking their first league win of the season.
RESPONSE
The Bairns were comprehensively outplayed by derby rivals Dunfermline last weekend in a 3-1 defeat that Houston reckons was the worst performance of his tenure.
He cancelled the players’ day off on Wednesday and ordered double training sessions this week, and is confident of getting a positive reaction.
But he has warned there will be no rest until the Bairns find a solution to their poor start to the Championship campaign.
He added: “I hope they play well on a Saturday but I can’t demand it. I can demand that they work hard.
“Quite frankly, and the players have been told this themselves, so I’m not talking out of turn, they didn’t work hard enough last Saturday.
“I see that as a slight on them, and on me, because I picked them.
“We’ll see what Saturday brings us and I’m sure we’ll get a response.
“We’ll be positive and they can get back in my good books if we win.
“If they don’t then they won’t be – and the days off will continue to be cancelled.”
