HAROLD Wilson's observation that a week is a long time in politics holds just as true in sport. Coming into this match as the backmarkers in the SPL, Falkirk were haunted by the spectre of relegation. By the time they'd dispatched four goals past Inverness, however, John Hughes, their manager, was talking about relishing "a right good year" and Steven Pressley was eyeing the possibility of European football.
The fact remains Falkirk are still 12th out of 12 in the Premier League. But this comfortable win narrowed the gap at the foot of the table to just a point. Bearing in mind Falkirk have a game in hand on Inverness, Kilmarnock and Hamilton, it's clear
the Relegation Hurdle is no longer a two-horse race. All the runners and riders from Hamilton in eighth to Falkirk at the rear of the pack are now jumping for Premier League survival.
Since Falkirk had won more cup ties, six, than league games, five, before Saturday's match, it was clever psychology for Hughes to talk to his players about undertaking a series of cup finals. Once they'd emulated the approach on league duty which ushered the club into the semi-finals of the Homecoming Scottish Cup and the Co-operative Insurance Cup, the team moved up a gear.
True, the margin of victory over Inverness was flattering. There was a whiff of offside about Falkirk's first goal, route one signposted the second and the third came from the penalty spot after Ryan Esson, the Inverness goalkeeper, was sent off for bringing down Carl Finnigan.
On the other hand, Finnigan and Mark Stewart both attacked with gusto and contributed three goals between them. And Scott Arfield, arguably the young Scot with the most potential of any 20-year-old in the SPL, made the kind of piercing runs from deep which unhinge defenders.
The old hands at the back, Pressley, Lee Bullen and Jackie McNamara, also did their bit to maintain composure. According to Pressley, who won Scottish Cup medals with Rangers, Hearts and Celtic, the challenges in front of Falkirk extend beyond just retaining their place in the SPL. With a Scottish Cup semi-final looming against Dunfermline, the centre-back can spot Europe on the horizon. Although he hobbled into the press room at the Falkirk Stadium on a crutch after limping off with an ankle injury, there was no hiding the metaphorical spring in Pressley's step.
"That was a huge moment for us and such a significant result," he said. "If you look at our current situation we have the opportunity as players to bring to this club a relatively successful season.
"If we can avoid relegation and reach the cup final, then it's possible that could ensure a place in Europe. That's something this club has never achieved in its history. The manager has already set one record by taking the club to two semi-finals in the one season. And now we have the chance as players to take things on."
Falkirk were the better side in the first half but could count themselves fortunate not to fall behind when Adam Rooney latched onto a long ball and went round Dani Mallo. The Inverness forward's finish from an acute angle slipped tantalisingly wide.
After that let-off, Falkirk got their noses in front when McNamara collected Michael Higdon's pass and shot from the inside-left position. Finnigan diverted the ball over the line from inside the six-yard box and looked mighty relieved when the assistant on the far side didn't raise his flag for offside.
Inverness took the game to Falkirk at the start of the second half and were caught out by a sucker punch. Mallo's goal-kick was flicked on by Higdon and Stewart took advantage of static defending to poach a second.
While the outcome was no longer in doubt, Neil McCann came off the bench to help secure Falkirk's biggest league win of the campaign. It was from the winger's cross that Finnigan chested the ball before being blocked by Esson. Since he'd denied the forward a goalscoring opportunity, Esson was shown a straight red. Arfield thumped the ball past substitute Michael Fraser from the spot. McCann's expert crossing also set up Finnigan to score a fourth in time added on for injury.
"When we're collectively bad, we're horrendous," admitted Terry Butcher, the Inverness manager. "When you take a step back and look at it, we lost the battle but we haven't lost the war."
According to Hughes, it may be the sides unexpectedly dragged into the mire who struggle to cope with the pressure. "We've been down here for a couple of months and are used to playing with that apprehension," he said. "Now other teams will wonder if they can handle it."
The full article contains 816 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
