Falkirk

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Ethan Laidlaw believes he has joined "the perfect club" for his career after agreeing a two-year contract with Falkirk.

Forward Laidlaw, 21, leaves Brentford for an undisclosed fee and was previously a youth player with Hibernian.

He has been capped up to Under-19 level by Scotland and his Bairns deal comes with the option of a further 12 months.

"We're delighted to bring him to the club," said manager John McGlynn.

"For much of his time there, he featured as a striker for Brentford B, although this season he has also played out wide as well as through the middle.

"He has had a very promising season. His direct running, power and strength, combined with his ability to get into the right positions and score goals, are qualities that really attracted us to him."

Laidlaw was voted players' player of the year for the Brentford B team last season after producing 15 goals and 10 assists.

He said of his Falkirk move: "It's a club I've admired a lot over the past couple of years, particularly the manager and the way he wants the team to play.

"As a young Scottish player, it feels like the perfect club to continue my career and development, so I'm over the moon to get the deal done."

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Latvia international Deniss Melniks will "fit into our style of play with ease", says Falkirk manager John McGlynn after signing the versatile centre-back on a two-year contract.

Milniks, 23, who has 11 international caps, will join the Bairns on 1 July once his contract with Latvian side FK Auda expires.

"Deniss can play in a few positions," said McGlynn. "He has a great stature at 6ft 3in and we believe there is more international games to come for him by coming to the Premiership in Scotland to develop his game further.

"He is very composed on the ball and will fit into our style of play with ease. He has the aerial ability to help us defend set-plays and also to be a threat in the opposition box.

"He can move into the centre of midfield as he has good range of passing and has the presence to command and boss the midfield."

Former Riga FC and Torino youth player Melniks becomes Falkirk's fifth signing this summer. He has made more than 100 appearances in a three-year stint with Auda, winning the Latvian Cup in 2025.

"I'm delighted to join Falkirk and grateful for the trust the club has shown in me," he said.

"This is a great opportunity for my career and I'm excited to meet the fans, work with the team, and give everything to help the club achieve success."

We asked for your views on Calvin Miller's move to Hearts and how Falkirk might replace him.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: Absolutely gutted he's gone. He was our best player the past three seasons. But he deserves the move - all the best Calvin.

Hugh: Calvin has been a great player for us for three seasons and I loved watching him. He deserves his move to a bigger stage and I wish him well at Hearts. Falkirk can now concentrate on replacing the players who were released with new players who might offer a bit more experience to keep us in the top six. Also keen to see the young Irish winger, Paul McGovern, we've signed. John McGlynn seems to have a knack of picking up good players and developing them properly.

Martin: It's a shame Miller leaving but I wish him all the best. I'm confident the manager can build the squad and make Falkirk a place to stay for players of Miller's quality.

Dave: We will move on, what's gone is gone.

Nathan: Following up on our sixth-place finish, holding on to crucial players was always going to be difficult and many Falkirk fans knew the band was going to be breaking up. Calvin has been an incredible servant to the club and has provided the fanbase with memorable moments. I understand why he has chosen a new challenge and wish him the best of luck. The good news for us is we got a fee for him, we just need to put it to good use. Considering we've lost Dylan Tait and Miller I'm already a bit nervous for next season.

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Calvin Miller admits he was "dying to make the move happen" as soon as he heard of interest from Hearts.

The winger, who moves to Tynecastle from Falkirk for an undisclosed fee, has signed a three-year deal and is eyeing silverware as he looks to continue his impressive form of last season.

"I'm buzzing, it's been in the pipeline for a while, I'm just glad that I'm finally here and got the deal all signed," Miller, 28, told Hearts TV.

"Hearts are a massive club, you've seen what they've done last season, straight away everyone wants to be a part of that.

"When I heard the interest was there, I was dying to make the move happen and they're playing in Europe this year as well, so I'd love to get myself in among that.

"Who doesn't want to play in Europe? You get a chance in the Champions League qualifiers to then go and progress and if not then it's Europa League. That's a big stage, that's where you can go and make a name for yourself and the club can go and make a name for itself. I'm dying to get started."

The 28-year-old praised Falkirk manager John McGlynn for helping to revive his career.

In his three years under McGlynn, Miller won back-to-back titles and secured a top-half Premiership finish to crown the Bairns' raise from Scotland's third tier.

Last term he scored nine goals, recorded 11 assists and claimed the player of the year awards from Falkirk supporters and his team-mates, and is hoping to build on those stats under new manager Derek McInnes.

"I'm thankful to Falkirk because they essentially got my career back on track," added Miller.

"The gaffer helped me through thick and thin, and every season was a success. I'm hoping to continue that success and that form I had at Falkirk.

"I always knew myself I could play in the top flight and it was about showing that and I think I did this season. That probably leads me to why I'm here to sign with this massive club.

"I'm quick, direct, I like to score goals and set up goals and all I care about is if I can contribute to the team.

"All the goals and assists, and even silverware, I hope to come here and try and achieve all of that as well as properly progress."

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Hearts have completed the signing of Falkirk winger Calvin Miller for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

Described by the Bairns as a "modern Falkirk great", Miller, 28, was instrumental in the club's rise from League 1 to top flight.

He scored 32 goals and contributed 37 assists for Falkirk in 132 games.

Former Celtic youth player Miller's nine assists last season was a Premiership high and he now bolsters Hearts for a season of European and domestic football.

Hearts fans, what do you think of Miller's signing? Can he flourish in Derek McInnes' side? Have your say here.

Falkirk fans, how big a blow is it to lose such an influential player? How might Miller be replaced? Tell us here.

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

Hearts have proved adept at unearthing gems from relative European obscurity, but their next signing looks set to be from much closer to home.

Falkirk winger Calvin Miller is nearing a move to Tynecastle after impressing in his first full top-flight campaign.

At 28, Miller is in the peak years of his career, but what do the stats say about why Hearts - and their Jamestown Analytics recruitment tool - have targeted the former Celtic player?

A perusal of Opta's data for the 2025-26 Premiership campaign soon flags up Miller's impactful presence in a Bairns side that finished sixth on their return to the top fight following a 15-year absence.

Creativity and end product are essentials for a winger and Miller delivers on both fronts. His 16 goal involvements was the most in the Falkirk squad and seventh highest in the Premiership overall. Only striker Barney Stewart (8) topped Miller's league goal haul of seven.

It is clear Miller is not a winger content to merely hug the touchline - he had the most touches in the opposition box of any Falkirk player and all his goals came from inside the area. While mainly deployed on the left, he can play either flank or centrally and showed a comfort using either foot, netting four with his left and three with his right.

One aspect of his game he could look to improve is in finishing accuracy. He underperformed his xG (expected goals) of 10.06 by more than three, and had a low conversion rate of 8.86% from 79 shots, 23 of which were on target.

On chance creation, Miller is a Falkirk standout. He had the most assists (nine) in the Premiership last season and also ranks first in John McGlynn's squad for chances created (60), while his 18 big chances created is three times more than any other Falkirk player as well as being second only to James Tavernier (19) in the top flight.

Miller also had the most passes into the box (250, including crosses), completed dribbles (35) and fast breaks (13) in the Falkirk squad.

A player of such talents will clearly be a major loss to the Bairns, but don't expect supporters to be up in arms at Miller's departure.

"He's been fantastic for us over the past three years since he signed. He's one of these guys that I don't think any Falkirk fan will grudge him a move up the way," said football writer and Falkirk supporter Gordon Waddell on the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

He added: "Miller hit his head off a few rungs on the ladder on the way down after he left Celtic. He went down south and had to work his way back up through Harrogate and Notts County and Chesterfield and Morton.

"And even when he signed for us, we were in League 1 at the time. John McGlynn has been outstanding for him and turned him now into the player everybody always thought he might be when he was a kid."

Falkirk and Hearts have agreed a fee for Calvin Miller and the 28-year-old winger will join the Edinburgh club once he has completed a medical. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hearts are close to finalising the signing of 24-year-old forward Amadou Ba-Sy from Rouen as well as Falkirk winger Calvin Miller. (Hearts Standard), external

Falkirk are set to sign Latvian centre-back Denniss Melniks, with the 23-year-old leaving Auda as a free agent. (Daily Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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John McGlynn says Falkirk have added a "wealth of experience" to their squad by signing Scott Tanser after the left-back's five-year spell at St Mirren came to an end.

The 31-year-old defender has penned a two-year deal with the Bairns, who marked their return to the top flight with a top-six finish last term.

Manager McGlynn says the former St Johnstone man's Scottish Premiership experience will be valuable to his side.

"He's an attacking left-back who loves to get forward," the Falkirk boss added.

"He has good quality in the final third to deliver good crosses for our attacking players in the box.

"He has a good delivery from set-pieces, as he displayed in our last game against St Mirren at the Falkirk Stadium, when the Saints scored from a corner.

"He is more than capable of moving into a left centre-back position if required, so he is a definite advantage to us."

Meanwhile, the departure of Calvin Miller is expected to follow the arrival of Tanser, with Hearts hopeful of concluding the signing of the winger in the next 48 hours.

Hearts hope to complete the signing of 28-year-old Falkirk winger Calvin Miller this week. (Scottish Sun), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Falkirk's appeal over a "disproportionate" sanction for fans' use of pyrotechnics has been rejected, with the club claiming they have received no "clear explanation" from the Scottish FA of what they could have done differently.

Following pyro use at February's Scottish Cup tie away to Stenhousemuir, the Bairns were given a suspended penalty of a 25% stadium closure for a future cup match if there is a repeat before the end of the 2027-28 season.

The Premiership club, who were also fined £500, say any partial stadium closure would cause them "significant financial damage" and appealed the severity of the punishment.

"Falkirk FC remains committed to working proactively with other clubs, security partners and the footballing authorities to prevent similar incidents in future," the club said.

"Despite our view remaining that the sanction was disproportionate and having received no clear explanation of what the club could have done differently to prevent the incident, it is clear the football authorities are taking a stringent line on incidents like this.

"We therefore ask again that all supporters refrain from using pyrotechnic devices at any games to avoid further sanctions that could harm the club, as well as the obvious risk to the safety of other supporters."

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Falkirk have signed right-back Jack McMillan - two years after he turned them down to Join Exeter City.

The 28-year-old now moves to John McGlynn's men on a two-year contract after being released by the English League One side.

"Jack is a player we have been talking to for the last month, so we are delighted that he has agreed to sign for us," said Falkirk assistant Paul Smith.

"We tried to sign him two years ago when he was leaving Partick Thistle, but he went down south to play for Exeter City where over the last two seasons he has played 95 games and probably played just about 90 minutes in every game.

"Jack is a right-back who can fill in all across the backline and played a lot of the time last season in the middle of the park, so he covers a lot of positions for us, which is great to have."

McMillan, who also counts Motherwell and Livingston among his former clubs, said: "Coming from a family of Falkirk fans I am absolutely delighted to join the club and will do everything I can to help the team to continue building on the success they have had over the last few seasons under the manager and Paul."

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Dundee United have fended off "significant interest" from other clubs to sign Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait.

Tait, 24, will move to Tannadice on a three-year contract this summer when his Falkirk deal expires.

He spent three-and-a-half years with the Bairns, helping them rise from League 1 to the Premiership, where they finished sixth this season.

He departs having made 104 Falkirk appearances, scoring 13 goals.

"Dylan is a player we've admired for a long time and somebody we believe is perfectly suited to the way we want to play," said United manager Jim Goodwin.

"There was significant interest in Dylan from elsewhere, so we're naturally delighted he's chosen Dundee United for the next stage of his career.

"He's technically excellent, progressive in possession and very comfortable receiving the ball in all areas of the pitch. His passing range and intelligence allow him to influence games in different ways, whether that's controlling the tempo or opening teams up in the final third.

"What's impressed us most is the consistency he's shown over a number of seasons.

"At 24, there's still significant room for development and we believe Dundee United is the perfect environment for him to continue progressing."

Tait is "hungry to keep improving", adding: "As soon as I heard about the interest from the club, it was something I was really excited about.

"Dundee United is a massive club with a rich history and of course such a passionate fanbase, so it was an opportunity I really wanted to take."

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Dylan Tait will leave Falkirk this summer after the club were unable to secure the midfielder on a new deal following months of talks.

The 24-year-old joined in January 2023, initially on loan, and helped the Bairns rise from League 1 to the Premiership, where they finished sixth this season.

He departs having made 104 Falkirk appearances, scoring 13 goals.

"The club has been in discussion with Dylan and his agent for a number of months, however the midfielder has chosen to pursue opportunities elsewhere," Falkirk said.

"Dylan has created and shared in moments that will live long in the memory of everyone connected with the club, and he will always be remembered as part of a special Falkirk side.

"He leaves with the club's sincere thanks and best wishes."

A report claims, external Tait is poised to stay in the Premiership by joining Dundee United on a three-year deal.

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Falkirk face Ayr United, local rivals Alloa Athletic, Stranraer and Edinburgh City in next season's Premier Sports Cup group stage.

John McGlynn's side were the top seeds in Wednesday's draw after finishing sixth on their return to the Scottish Premiership and with the top five sides receiving byes to the second round because of their participation in European football.

The Bairns won their group last season, finishing ahead of Cove Rangers, Queen's Park, The Spartans and Brechin City before losing to eventual beaten finalists Celtic in the second round.

This time, they face an Ayr side who will start the campaign under Gary Naysmith, with the former Scotland full-back having switched to Somerset Park after leading part-time Stenhousemuir to promotion via the play-offs after finishing second in League 1.

He replaced Scott Brown, who left Ayr as they headed for a seventh-place finish in the Championship.

Andy Graham's Alloa, who topped their group last season ahead of top-flight Dundee and finished fourth in League 1, lost the play-off final 3-2 on aggregate despite beating Naysmith's Stenny side 1-0 away from home in the second leg.

Chris Aitken's Stranraer were fifth in League 2, while Michael McIndoe's Edinburgh's edged out Highland League champions Brora Rangers in the Pyramid Play-off final to retain their place in the Scottish Professional Football League after finishing bottom of the table thanks to a 15-point deduction.

Stranraer and Edinburgh were in the same section last season and their group campaign this time begins on 11/12 July and finishes on 25/26 July.

Falkirk have agreed terms with Glenavon to sign 18-year-old winger Paul McGovern. (News Letter), external

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Falkirk are in talks with Dylan Tait over a new deal while Brian Graham heads the list of departures and Craig Sibbald will join from Dundee United.

Midfielder Tait, 24, is out of contract after making 47 appearances this season for the Bairns, who finished sixth in their first top-flight campaign for 15 years.

Striker Graham leaves after a 12-month stint in which he scored five goals while Gary Oliver and Sean Mackie depart after four-year spells where Falkirk rose from League 1 to the Premiership. Jamie Sneddon has also been released.

Loan players Lewis Neilson, Henry Cartwright, Kyrell Wilson, Ethan Williams, Filip Lissah, Sam Hart, Ben Broggio and Louie Marsh return to their parent clubs.

Midfielder Sibbald, 31, rejoins his first club in pre-season having agreed a pre-contract in March.

Hearts remain hopeful of beating competition for the signature of 20-year-old Lincoln City centre-back MJ Kamson-Kamara after detailed talks, but they have not yet made a move for 28-year-old Falkirk winger Calvin Miller, who would command a decent six-figure fee. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Heart of Midlothian are eyeing a move for Falkirk winger Calvin Miller - just months after a proposed return to Celtic fell through for the 28-year-old. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

Grant Heaney
Fan writer

The curtain came down on our first season back in the top flight for 15 years at the weekend, and what a campaign it has been.

Survival was the primary objective, but to finish inside the top six - and do so with a degree of style and relative comfort - exceeded all expectations.

It's been a truly remarkable three years for everyone connected with the club, but it now feels like the end of an era.

The group of players who delivered an invincible season in League 1 and immediately followed it up with promotion from the Championship now looks set to be dismantled for one reason or another this summer.

It brings mixed emotions, as the past three years have been a golden period in the club's history - one that will be remembered fondly for years to come.

On the flip side, it also presents an opportunity for the club to evolve and embark on a new journey as we look to establish ourselves in the top flight.

There will still be a core of players who have climbed through the divisions together, but a number of new faces will inevitably arrive at the Falkirk Stadium over the close season as the club enters its next chapter.

Watch the best of the action as Rangers won their first post-split fixture with a 5-2 victory at Falkirk. Available to UK users only.

Falkirk fans, we asked for your views on the 5-2 loss to Rangers on the final day of the Premiership season. Here's what you had to say.

John: We just succumbed some poor defending yet again. Refereeing both on and off field was poor. Onto next season.

David: Typical end of season game with nothing at stake. Defences were both suspect, loads of goal chances. It made it entertaining for fans, as it could have been about five or six each.

Our season has been better than anyone expected and I for one have no complaints. We move on to next season .