"If you can do it once, you can do it twice." Those words echo the confidence of Falkirk’s manager John McGlynn as he prepares his side for another campaign in the Scottish Premiership. After steering the Bairns back to the top flight and securing a respectable top‑six finish last season, McGlynn is already looking to replicate that success, even though the club has undergone a massive squad reshuffle over the summer. The off‑season saw a wave of departures that would have unsettled many clubs. Among the most notable exits was prolific striker Barney Stewart, who swapped the Falkirk jersey for West Bromwich Albion.
Mid‑fielder Calvin Miller followed a similar path, joining Hearts, while young talent Dylan Tait headed north to Dundee United. In addition to these permanent moves, several loan players who had contributed significantly to the team’s previous achievements also returned to their parent clubs.
In total, fifteen players left the squad at the conclusion of the 2022‑23 season, marking the biggest turnover in personnel that McGlynn has managed in his career. Despite the scale of the changes, McGlynn remains undaunted. "If you can do it once, you can do it twice," he told Sky Sports News, emphasizing that the experience of surviving and thriving in the Premiership last year provides a blueprint for the upcoming term.
He also cautioned that the second season in the top division is typically more demanding. The manager explained that the club’s ambition has not waned; rather, it has been sharpened by the challenges of integrating a host of new faces while maintaining the standards that earned them a comfortable mid‑table finish. The Bairns will kick off their new campaign against St Mirren on Saturday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
McGlynn sees this opening fixture as an opportunity to set the tone for the season. He reiterated the club’s primary objective: to remain in the Premiership, a goal that was achieved through careful planning and consistent point accumulation in the previous year. "We targeted 15 points after the first 11 games," he recalled. "We managed to replicate that through the second lot of games and the third to get to 45 points, which got us in a very, very comfortable position." Those 45 points not only secured safety but also placed Falkirk within reach of the top half of the table, a remarkable achievement for a side that had just been promoted.
Looking ahead, McGlynn’s target is to match or exceed that points total, acknowledging that anything is possible with the right mindset and work ethic. He stressed that the club’s ambition is not limited to survival; the Bairns want to compete with the league’s established sides and push for a higher league finish. "We’re always ambitious.
We want to do the best we possibly can," he said. "Like a lot of teams, first and foremost, you’ve got to stay in the league. That’s what we tried to do last season.
We targeted 15 points after the first 11 games and we hit that mark again later in the season. That’s a target we’ll be trying to achieve if possible.
At this stage, anything’s possible." Beyond the tactical and strategic aspects of the season, McGlynn has found himself the subject of speculation regarding a potential future role with the Scotland national team. Following the resignation of Steve Clarke after Scotland’s World Cup exit, several high‑profile figures in the game have begun to mention McGlynn as a possible successor.
While the compliments are flattering, the 64‑year‑old former Hearts manager made it clear that his focus remains firmly on the club level. "It’s amazing for such high‑profile people in the game to be pushing my name for that job," McGlynn admitted. "I am obviously totally committed here and I’ve had no contact whatsoever, so I’m very focused on the job, but it is very nice for the people that have been putting me forward and supporting in that way.
I think they know what I’m like and how well I’ve done, so it’s some kind of recognition. It’s nice to hear it, but I’m getting on with the job in hand right now." When asked whether he would entertain an approach from the Scottish FA, McGlynn responded pragmatically: "Obviously, the SFA will need to go through the proper procedure and speak to the club and see where it goes if it comes to that.
I’m just focused on what I’m doing right now." This measured reply underscores his dedication to Falkirk and his belief that the club’s immediate priorities should not be distracted by external speculation. The upcoming season promises to be a test of depth, resilience, and managerial acumen.
With a substantial influx of new talent, McGlynn will need to blend fresh faces with the core of players who helped the Bairns secure their recent success. The challenge lies not only in finding the right tactical setup but also in fostering cohesion among a squad that has largely never played together in a competitive setting.
Fans can expect a blend of seasoned professionals and promising youngsters, each eager to prove their worth. The manager’s experience in handling squad turnover—having lost fifteen players—will be crucial as he evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of his new roster during pre‑season training and early league fixtures. Moreover, the club’s infrastructure, including its scouting network and youth development pathways, will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the new signings adapt quickly to the demands of top‑flight football. In summary, John McGlynn enters the new Scottish Premiership season with a clear vision: maintain Falkirk’s Premiership status, aim for a top‑six finish, and demonstrate that the club can thrive despite significant personnel changes.
His confidence, grounded in the achievements of the previous campaign, combined with a realistic acknowledgment of the challenges ahead, sets a tone of optimism and determination for both players and supporters. As the Bairns line up against St Mirren in their opening match, all eyes will be on McGlynn to see whether his philosophy of "once is possible, twice is achievable" can be translated into results on the pitch.