Falkirk reward management team with new contracts

Falkirk have rewarded boss Peter Houston with a new two-and-a-half year deal, the club has announced.

The Bairns were expected to be an also ran in this year's Championship promotion race but have turned it into a three-team contest with Hibernian and Rangers.

Houston's side are now right on the heels of the Ibrox leaders, sitting just three points off top.

Now club chairman Doug Henderson has decided to show faith in boss Houston and his backroom team of Alan Maybury and James McDonaugh by handing them improved contracts which stretch to the summer of 2018.

Henderson said: "I'm delighted to tie up Peter and his team on longer deals. There's no doubt that the club has moved forward under Peter's management, with a strong performance in reaching the Scottish Cup Final last season and in our current position as second in the Championship promotion race.

"As a club, we will continue to invest in our team and in our facilities as we push for a return to the Premiership and we believe this will be achieved under Peter's management."

Houston - who rejoined the club he served over two spells as a player in June 2014 - added: "I am delighted to sign the extension, it has been a very enjoyable experience so far. We can now plan and prepare for the next two years as a coaching unit. We ultimately want to get this club back to the Premiership and I look forward to continuing the challenge of doing that.

"James and Alan are an integral part of what we're doing here at the club so I'm pleased to see them commit their futures as well. We work well together as a team and I look forward to continuing to lead this club forward with their support. It's an exciting time for the club and I very much feel it is a club on the up."