SNS GroupJohn McGlynn has revealed his pride in former Falkirk winger Calvin Miller as his side are set to face off against Hearts.
McGlynn signed the left-sided playmaker from Morton in 2023 when the Bairns were in League One, and they both came through the leagues to reach the top flight before the 28-year-old signed for the Jambos in the summer.
McGlynn watched Miller play through injury to score a vital goal against Rapid Vienna during their Conference League play-off in August, then score in the penalty shootout to help the Gorgie side to a 4-3 win, securing a famous qualification for the league phase.
“They did so well to get through that particular game to get to the Conference League,” said the Bairns boss, who revealed attacker Joe Gardner will be out for two months with a tear in his thigh.
“Calvin was immense that night, absolutely immense. You couldn’t have been any prouder for him that night, than at any time.
“How he managed to continue that run, managed to continue to run and keep that ball down and then celebrate and then take a penalty. It was quite incredible.
“You know the boy inside out, and he’s a great boy, and so you want the best for him. Maybe not tomorrow night between quarter to eight and quarter to ten.
“I think there was too much of a negative reaction by some pundits and such like people to the early results that Hearts got.
“Yes, coming off a bit of a hangover, having lost the league, as we all know, after being in that (top) position for most of the season, it’s quite a hard one to take.
“But the manager (Wouter Vrancken) has come in, he’s done exceptionally well; new ideas, a new way of playing, new players coming in and a turnaround in players. And they are certainly on course.”
Gardner had a previous injury and has only played twice since signing from Nottingham Forest in the summer and McGlynn said: “Joe Gardner’s picked up an injury in training.
“It’s more than a strain, it’s a grade-three tear of his thigh, so you’re looking at a couple of months there, which is a bit of a blow because we’ve just really got him back.
“We’ve not really got anything out to Joe yet. Unfortunately, we just can’t get him on the park. That’s a blow though.
“Craig Sibbald and Keelan Adams are back available for selection.”
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