Falkirk boss McGlynn eyes pinnacle of cup final
Manager John McGlynn says leading Falkirk out at a Scottish Cup final would represent the "pinnacle" of his career as the club prepare for a crucial last-four tie against Dunfermline Athletic this weekend. The Scottish Premiership side face Neil Lennon's men at Hampden on Saturday at 12:30 BST - live on the BBC - with a place in May's showpiece at stake. McGlynn has already led Falkirk to a top-six finish in the Premiership this term after securing back-to-back promotions from the third tier of Scottish football.
However, the 64-year-old is determined to cap a stunning season with the first major silverware of his managerial career. "It would be a great honour to take the team out in a Scottish Cup final," McGlynn told BBC Scotland. "For myself, [assistant coaches] Paul Smith and Steven McGinn, and all the backroom staff, it would reflect all the work that's been put in.
"To take the team into the Premiership, be in a strong position and reach a Scottish Cup final - that would be the pinnacle of our careers. "We know we'll have to work extremely hard to get there and maybe need a bit of luck along the way, but walking out at Hampden for a final would be a very proud moment. "We can't look beyond Dunfermline.
If we get through, then anything can happen. " Watch Rangers score six in nine-goal thriller at Falkirk Falkirk go into the semi-final on the back of a heavy 6-3 home defeat by Rangers - a match in which they led 2-0. McGlynn, whose side remain sixth in the Premiership following the loss, admitted the game was a harsh lesson for his players.
Meanwhile, Championship side Dunfermline, who have beaten Premiership pair Hibernian and Aberdeen to reach this stage, had an eight-game unbeaten run ended by title-chasing Partick Thistle at the weekend. "It was going so smoothly for us," McGlynn said of Sunday's loss. "We were playing very well and everything was going to plan.