Latest news with #ScottArfield


BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Falkirk lacking 'a bit of magic'
Former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan worries Falkirk are lacking "a bit of magic" in their Bairns get their top flight season under way next weekend when they host Dundee United but Sheridan has concerns over John McGlynn's squad. "I don't think they've really added enough to the squad," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "I know McGlynn hasn't changed much of his squad from even from the League One days. "They're brilliant, really well coached and every player knows exactly where the other player is going to be. I would just worry about the overall strength in the squad in terms of having individual game changers rather than the collective being really good. "I know that they have quality like Scott Arfield in the midfield and very good attacking players but I just feel like in that moment where they just need one player to produce something, a bit of magic, out with the setup of the team, that might be where they could struggle."

The National
3 days ago
- Sport
- The National
No slips from Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk in Premier Sports Cup
Motherwell and Hearts had already booked their places in Sunday's draw along with European qualifiers Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Dundee United, meaning there were nine spaces still up for grabs going into the final weekend. Killie, Livi and the Bairns were joined in reaching the last 16 by lower-league sides Partick Thistle, Alloa, St Johnstone and Morton. [[Dundee]] – eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures – are the only top-flight side out of the tournament so far, with St Mirren aiming to make it through on Sunday. Dunfermline have a chance of joining them if Saints fail to beat Ayr, who are all but through as long as they do not lose heavily in Paisley. Read more: Falkirk sealed top spot in Group A by defeating Spartans 4-0 at home through goals from Dylan Tait, Scott Arfield and a Calvin Miller brace. Cove Rangers finished second but were not in the mix to be one of the three best runners-up after losing 2-1 at Queen's Park. Teenage defender Ben Brannan scored a double as Kilmarnock pipped top-flight rivals Livingston to top spot in Group H with a 4-0 home victory over East Fife. Summer signings Marcus Dackers and Djenairo Daniels were also on target for Stuart Kettlewell's side. Livi struck four times in the first half as a 6-0 home win over Kelty Hearts helped them finish as one of the three best runners-up. Robbie Muirhead notched a double, while Andrew Winter, debutant Adam Montgomery, Shane Blaney and Stevie May were also on target. Partick maintained their perfect record to win Group B with a 3-1 victory at Ross County, while Stranraer beat 10-man Queen of the South 1-0 in the other match in the section. There was drama in Group C as [[Alloa]] came from behind to defeat Airdrie 3-2 and secure qualification at the expense of the Diamonds. A 2-2 draw would have been enough to take both teams through, but Steven Buchanan's 89th minute winner meant only the Wasps progressed. In the other match, Dundee saved some face after their humiliating start by making it back-to-back wins with a 5-0 triumph at home to Montrose. Simon Murray hit a first-half double before second-half strikes from Clark Robertson, Ryan Astley and Luke Graham. St [[Johnstone]] sealed top spot in Group with an 8-0 home win over 10-man Elgin, while Raith Rovers beat Inverness 5-1. With Hearts already having finished top of Group E, [[Dunfermline]] gave themselves a chance of finishing as one of the three best runners-up as they won 2-0 at home to Stirling. The Pars will go through if St Mirren lose to [[Ayr]] or draw and fail to pick up a bonus point. Hearts have put themselves in a commanding position to claim a seeded place, finishing on 12 points with a positive goal difference of 15. Dunfermline can move on to nine points and will be looking to add to their goal difference of two when they host Stirling, to push for a best runners-up place. Morton followed Group G winners Motherwell through as one of the best runners-up after winning 3-0 at home to Clyde, while Stenhousemuir beat Peterhead 1-0. In Group D, where Arbroath went down 1-0 to Forfar, Ayr will be looking to hold on to top spot away to St Mirren on Sunday. The Honest Men have such a good goal difference that they will go through as long as they do not lose heavily.


BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Arfield strikes as Falkirk defeat St Johnstone
Scott Arfield scored the only goal as Falkirk defeated St Johnstone 1-0 in a pre-season friendly at McDiarmid Bairns are replacing Saints in the Scottish Premiership this season after winning the McGlynn's side start their competitive campaign away to Brechin City in the Scottish League Cup on Saturday (15:00).


BBC News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Two penalties help Falkirk come from behind against East Fife
Two penalties helped Falkirk come from behind to defeat League 1 outfit East Fife in Methil on Tuesday striker Alan Trouten fired Dick Campbell's hosts ahead before Calvin Miller's spot-kick and captain Brad Spencer's neat goal had the Bairns in front at the Nesbitt extended the visitors lead in the second half, before Gregor Nicol nicked one back with 20 minutes to Sean Mackie was fouled in the box minutes later and half-time substitute, Scott Arfield, scored the second penalty of the McGlynn's side have two more friendlies Raith Rovers on 5 July (15:00) and St Johnstone three days later (19:30), before their League Cup group stage campaign kicks off on 12 July with a trip to Brechin City.


BBC News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Arfield convinced Falkirk 'will shock people' in Premiership
Scott Arfield says there is "absolutely no doubt" Falkirk will "surprise a few people" on their top-flight 36-year-old midfielder returned to Falkirk in February, 15 years after leaving, and played a key role in the club's promotion."It is exciting times for everybody connected to the football club to see this team back in the top division," the former Rangers player told BBC Scotland."To see the enthusiasm and positivity through their eyes, you relive it again. Some of [the fans] have probably never seen the club in this division, they're that young, it's going to be amazing for them to see it."You're excited for them to give them that back, and obviously as a professional player coming into the twilight years, you try and relive it again and enjoy it as much as you can."There's absolutely no doubt we'll surprise a few people, but we need to have one eye on the calibre of player and the teams we're playing against this year."