Rangers loanee Kyle McClelland was thrust into the spotlight last night as the teenage defender was handed a start for Falkirk in their Scottish Cup defeat by Celtic at Parkhead.
McLelland, who only joined the Bairns last month and is still to make his league debut for the League One leaders was pitched in from the start as David McCracken and Lee Miller made six changes to the side that drew with Dumbarton in midweek.
Despite coming up against an almost full-strength Celtic side, the Bairns put in a resolute performance, denying the hosts an opener until ten minutes after the break when James Forrest scored his first goal of the season.
Two minutes later, it was 2-0 when Ryan Christie beat the impressive Mutch from the edge of the area as Falkirk’s hopes of a cup shock went up in smoke.
Elyounoussi’s chip ten minutes from time put some sheen on the scoreline but it was far from a disaster for Falkirk as they’ll now return their focus to securing the League One title and winning promotion back to the Championship.
Northern Irish youth international McClelland will be hoping he can get more minutes under his belt and push the likes of Paul Dixon for a regular start over the final weeks of the League One campaign.
Meanwhile, a comment from the Rangers SLO on Twitter suggests a controversial pundit has been denied access to Ibrox for the Gers’ Scottish Cup clash against Cove Rangers.