Falkirk have a huge challenge to replicate their top six finish of last season as they rebuild after losing a host of key players, according to Ian McCall, a former player and manager of the club.
Falkirk's manager John McGlynn has had to contend with the loss of his top five goalscorers from last season, a significant blow for the team. The Bairns were beaten 2-0 at home to St Mirren in their Premiership opener on Saturday.
McCall, who has a deep understanding of the club, believes that finding replacement players of the same caliber will be difficult. "You tell me five that have been found in the last 20 years like that – it's not like that," he said in a BBC Sportsound interview.
The loss of key players is a common challenge faced by many football clubs, but McCall acknowledges that it's particularly tough at Falkirk's level. "It's really hard when you're at the level Falkirk are, a big club but not one of the big, big ones," he said.
Falkirk finished in the top six comfortably last season, and at one point were in the running for fourth or fifth. However, McCall believes that replicating this feat will be a significant challenge. "I don't foresee them being in relegation bother, but it will be really hard to replicate what they did [last season]," he said.
The Scotland national team manager rumors surrounding John McGlynn have also been a topic of discussion. McCall didn't think it was ridiculous, but it's unclear if it's still a possibility. "I still think they'll be absolutely fine," he said.
The transfer market is often unpredictable, and finding top-class players can be a difficult task. McCall's comments highlight the challenges faced by clubs like Falkirk in maintaining their performance levels.
Falkirk's next match is against Kilmarnock on Tuesday, and the team will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat. The task ahead of them will be a significant one, but McCall remains optimistic about their chances.
Source: Yahoo Sports