ANDY IRVING has seen parent club Hearts blast their way to the top of the Premiership – and now he wants to help turn the tables at Falkirk.
Whilst Hearts currently sit five points clear at the summit of the top-flight after five straight wins, Falkirk are rock bottom of the Championship with five consecutive defeats.
It leaves Irving with mixed emotions as he bids to make the most of his loan spell with the Bairns.
And the 18-year-old is determined to help spark a revival under new boss Ray McKinnon, starting with Saturday’s home clash with Dundee United.
He told @CCP_sport: “Things are going great at Hearts, they’ve started absolutely brilliantly, and it’s good to see them doing so well.
“I knew it would all come good. They’ve brought in a lot of good players and they definitely deserve to be where they are.
“I’ve learned a lot since I’ve come to Falkirk and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, although results haven’t gone our way.
“It’s been really good and hopefully we can kick-off the season by getting some wins and getting some points on the board, and that would give a massive lift to the whole club here.”
This encounter will have some added spice, given United’s decision to axe McKinnon last October just 10 games into the season and their eventual failure to win the promotion Csaba Laszlo was brought in to secure.
But McKinnon insists his sole focus will be on steering Falkirk to the win they desperately need.
And, despite the Bairns throwing away a two-goal lead, Irving is convinced last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Ayr United has given them heart for this afternoon’s clash.
He added: “Last week, we started really well and in the first-half we were excellent. Everybody did their jobs and we looked a threat going forward as well.
“We scored two good goals and there was a big improvement, and it has been really good under the new gaffer.
“I know we got beat but if we can take that first-half performance into this game it will give us a good platform to go and build on.
“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to. We know how we’re going to play, we’re at home and it’s just about taking that advantage and getting the win we all want.”
