- John McGlynn: “We gave Rangers a lifeline” after players stopped, allowing controversial goal.
- Falkirk boss insists “we’ve nobody to blame but ourselves” despite ball out-of-play claims.
- Rangers punish errors, scoring six away as McGlynn admits “I’ve never seen us defend so badly.”
John McGlynn has brushed aside controversy surrounding Rangers’ opening goal in their chaotic 6-3 victory over Falkirk, instead turning his frustration firmly on his own players.
The flashpoint came during a pivotal moment in the match, with Falkirk leading by two goals and looking relatively comfortable.
Thelo Aasgaard struck the post before Mikey Moore recycled the ball from near the touchline, sending it back into the danger area.
As the delivery dropped, several Falkirk players hesitated, appealing for the ball having gone out of play.
Referee Don Robertson and his assistants allowed play to continue, and Tochi Chukwuani took full advantage, firing home to give Rangers a route back into the game.
John McGlynn places blame on Bairns
While there were immediate protests from the home side and their supporters, McGlynn refused to use the incident as an excuse for the defeat.
Instead, he pointed to a lapse in concentration and professionalism from his own team as the real turning point.
“We gave Rangers a lifeline by not playing the whistle, by not competing, by claiming instead of playing it out,” he said.
“We’ve nobody to blame bar ourselves.”
The Falkirk manager was also unconvinced that replays would offer any clarity on whether the ball had gone out, suggesting the debate itself was secondary to his side’s reaction in the moment.
“The angles we’ve got will never give you anything conclusive on that at all,” he explained.
“There’s been games in the past where you’re talking about a ball being in or out, it’s very difficult.
“I don’t even know if it’s close.”
Rangers capitalise on faltering Falkirk
From McGlynn’s perspective, the bigger issue was what followed.
The goal shifted momentum dramatically, with Rangers capitalising on the uncertainty to mount a relentless second-half comeback.
“It gave Rangers a lifeline,” he admitted.
“They responded and they got a very early goal in the second half.”
That response ultimately proved decisive, as Rangers surged forward with intensity and purpose, punishing Falkirk’s defensive frailties.
McGlynn was particularly critical of his side’s overall defending, describing it as well below the required standard at this level.
“All the goals, from our point of view, are very cheap,” he said.
“Fair play to Rangers, they’ve stepped things up and they’ve taken advantage. They’ve got a lifeline and they took it.”
For Falkirk, the defeat will sting not only because of the scoreline but the manner in which control of the match slipped away.
Having put themselves in a strong position, their inability to manage key moments proved costly against a side with Rangers’ attacking quality.
“It was a sore one from our point of view,” McGlynn added.
“I’ve never seen us defend so badly.”
While the debate may continue over the contentious moment, McGlynn’s stance is clear.
The decisive factor was not officiating, but Falkirk’s own failure to play to the whistle and maintain defensive discipline in a game that quickly spiralled beyond their control.
Read Rangers analysis
For Rangers and Danny Rohl, they will take pride in their mentality to come back and score six goals away from home.
It was the first time in six years they had scored as many on their travels.
The Gers have now scored 15 goals in four matches since their Scottish Cup exit to Celtic last month.
With momentum building and confidence flowing, Rangers head into the run-in looking like a side peaking at exactly the right moment in the title race.
