How Sibbald return 'speaks volumes' about Falkirk's standing
[BBC] Craig Sibbald was the toast of Falkirk last Monday when it was announced he had penned a pre-contract to return to the club in the summer. This followed weeks of speculation we were looking to bring the self-confessed Bairn back home - making it all the more satisfying to see it confirmed. It feels like the sort of transfer we simply wouldn't have been able to pull off this time last year.
That, in itself, speaks volumes about the position the club now finds itself in - one where we are capable of attracting players of Sibbald's calibre. Of course, the emotional pull plays its part. He's one of our own, having come through the academy, and a local lad still based in the area.
But even so, it's an encouraging sign of the direction we're heading. It's also pleasing to see us getting our business under way early. That was a real bugbear for many Bairns fans last year, with so much of our recruitment dragged out until the final days of the summer transfer window.
By contrast, having survival comfortably secured with months to spare has allowed us to get ahead of the curve - something that simply wouldn't have been possible had our top-flight status still been hanging in the balance. Here's hoping this is just the start, with more reinforcements to follow prior to what promises to be a busy summer rebuild at the Falkirk Stadium, particularly once the current crop of loanees move on. On top of that, strong campaigns don't go unnoticed, so there is a lingering worry other clubs may be sniffing around some of our key players.
Keeping hold of that core could prove just as important as any new additions.