Steven Pressley: Victory over Celtic should win Falkirk the cup

STV
Steven Pressley (right) will go head-to-head with Celtic assistant Johan Mjallby (left) in January.©SNS Group

Steven Pressley has quipped that his Falkirk side should automatically be given the Scottish Communities League Cup trophy if they overcome Celtic in the last four.

Pressley’s young side have already seen off Rangers and Dundee United to reach the semi-final and will have to defeat the other half of the Old Firm to get to next year’s final.

“It is a huge incentive and if we achieve that then they should just give us the trophy, to be perfectly honest,” Pressley said of having to defeat Neil Lennon’s team.

“It would be an incredible achievement for this young team, if we were to come through Rangers, Dundee United and Celtic.

“The vast majority of our team have never experienced playing at Hampden or in a national semi-final while Celtic have been there, seen it and done it.

“But all the pressure lies with Celtic and we can go there and enjoy the occasion. We will prepare properly and with a real belief that we can win the game.

“It will take us to play at optimum levels to achieve that but we have proved we are capable of that already in this competition.”

With Celtic struggling for form at present, Pressley would no doubt have preferred to take on the SPL side as soon as possible to maximise their chances of reaching their first major cup final since defeat in the Scottish Cup final in 2009.

As it is, Falkirk will have to wait until the end of January to face the Glasgow team but the Bairns boss believes it will give them plenty time to build up further momentum.

“I am quite happy that there are several months before the game because there will be a real anticipation around the club,” he said.

“The players will be vying for places and so it will create a real sense of competition and that is a good thing for us.

“Don't think I am not aware of how big a challenge it is for this club and what type of performance it will take but we will certainly be going in to the game believing that we can get a result. Anything is possible with the right attitude.”

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