Falkirk manager John McGlynn says his side should take “huge belief” from their performance at Ibrox after earning a fully deserved point in a gritty 0–0 draw against Rangers.
However, the Bairns boss admitted to feeling a touch of frustration that his team did not show enough bravery in possession to push for something even more.
McGlynn, whose side have adapted impressively to life back in the top flight, praised the determination and defensive organisation that shut out a Rangers side lacking fluency and incision.
The result marks back-to-back clean sheets for Falkirk and continues their pattern of competing confidently against bigger clubs.
“We’re very proud of the players’ performance,” McGlynn said.
“Very proud of the back-to-back clean sheets and we’re not so far away - we could be a good side.”
Yet alongside the pride, the manager felt a sense of missed opportunity.
Falkirk defended superbly but struggled to keep the ball when they did win it back, allowing Rangers to reapply pressure in phases.
“Overall, the feeling was a little bit disappointed,” he admitted.
“I think we could play better than that. In possession we gave the ball away too much, turned forward too much, and it came back at us.
“If we’d shown a little bit more belief, we could have given ourselves more opportunities to perhaps take the three points.”
McGlynn emphasised that Falkirk must learn to turn pre-match confidence into on-pitch assertiveness, particularly in intimidating environments like Ibrox.
“We should have the belief at two o’clock today - we shouldn’t need to reinforce that,” he said.
“We said in the team talk that we’ve nothing to fear here. We need to translate that into the performance.”
Despite their struggles in possession, Falkirk defended with discipline and structure, with McGlynn highlighting the commitment of his back line as key to earning the point.
“The determination, the dogged determination - heading it, clearing it - those are the attributes that get you a clean sheet,” he said.
“Coming here and going out with a deserved point should give us belief.”
When asked what the result said about Falkirk’s development, McGlynn was unequivocal.
“It speaks volumes for everyone at the football club,” he said.
“Players might think it’s criticism, but it’s because we believe in them. We think they can do better.”
It was the second time this season that the newly promoted Bairns had taken a point from Rangers – and really should have taken all three.