Falkirk host Rangers on 2 September 2026 in a Premiership fixture that matters more than a September game perhaps should. Falkirk are back in the top flight for the first time in 15 years and sit 11th with a single point from three matches, in the middle of a brutal run that also includes Celtic, Dundee United and Hearts. For McGlynn's side the question is less about three points and more about whether a low block can frustrate a Rangers side without its first choice striker. Rangers are not in great shape either, seventh with four points from three games under Derek McInnes after European exits and a slow start and a win here gives him his first real foothold in the table.
John McGlynn has managed Falkirk since May 2022, while McInnes only took the Rangers job on 17 June 2026 after replacing Danny Röhl. They have not faced each other enough in competitive fixtures for any meaningful tactical history to exist between them.
Falkirk's last three league results are a 1-2 home defeat to Celtic on 29 August, a 0-0 draw with Motherwell on 9 August and a 0-2 loss at St Mirren on 1 August. Rangers have gone win-loss-draw, beating Aberdeen 1-0 on 30 August, losing 1-2 to Hibernian on 9 August and drawing 1-1 with Dundee United on 31 July. Rangers have shown they can be got at and Falkirk's best route to a point is sitting deep and hitting them on the break.
Falkirk are without Craig Sibbald and Finn Yeats through injury, with Ethan Laidlaw still sidelined by the long term ankle problem that required surgery and losing two midfielders at once pushes McGlynn toward a shape that is likely to be more reactive than constructive. Rangers also have problems worth noting: Youssef Chermiti is ruled out with a cruciate ligament tear, leaving Shankland to lead the line alone, while José Cifuentes' knee issue leaves McInnes short in the middle of the park.
Falkirk will sit in a compact block, probably a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 and try to cut off the supply to Shankland. Without Sibbald and Yeats, the tempo setting role falls almost entirely to Brad Spencer, who has to stop the ball reaching Shankland in dangerous positions while also holding shape as Rangers' full backs push into advanced areas. Dead balls are where Falkirk are most likely to score, with Ben Parkinson as the outlet on the break if Rangers over-commit and leave space in behind. Rangers under McInnes look to get the ball into the box for Shankland to finish, with Djeidi Gassama and Findlay Curtis cutting inside from wide, though without Chermiti the onus on those two to deliver is considerably higher. If Falkirk can keep it tight and frustrate, the space behind Rangers' full backs on the counter is where Parkinson can do real damage.
Rangers have won around nine of 15 previous meetings against Falkirk's two. The recent margin is striking: visits to Falkirk Stadium have ended 5-2 and 6-3, which shows what happens when Rangers' depth overwhelms a newly promoted side at full strength. Both squads are now shorter through injury but losing Chermiti and Cifuentes costs Rangers a goal threat and midfield cover while Falkirk's own problems in the middle make it an even trade at best and the structural gap between the clubs is the same as it was in those heavy defeats.
Shankland against a depleted Falkirk midfield is the likeliest path to a Rangers win. Falkirk's low block should hold them out for long periods, especially early and a set piece or Parkinson counter could get them on the board but Shankland and the wide players should eventually get in behind or punish a mistake. Rangers 2-1.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
