Houston Grappling With Loy Dilemma

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Peter Houston is wrestling with the biggest selection dilemma of his managerial career ahead of Falkirk's William Hill Scottish Cup final against Inverness at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Striker Rory Loy is back in contention for the Championship side after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Queen of the South at Palmerston on March 6.

The 27-year-old, who scored 12 goals before being sidelined, played part of a bounce game in Swansea last week and has trained on further.

The Bairns boss admits every waking hour is occupied with deciding whether or not to start the former Rangers and Carlisle player, who signed a pre-contract in February with Dundee.

At the club's media open day at the Falkirk stadium, Houston, who won the trophy with Dundee United in 2010, was asked if he had ever had to deal with such a selection decision.

"No, I don't think so. In the run-up to my last cup final with Dundee United the players were all fit, my only worry was them kicking lumps out of each other in training," he said.

"By Thursday I will know in my head. Rory trained today and didn't miss a minute of the session and is getting sharper.

"It is a big call whether he starts or comes on as an impact player and as yet I have still to make that decision.

"Rory came with us to Swansea last week and got some game time against them as well.

"He is getting better every day, so I have a huge decision to make nearer the end of the week but, to be honest, it is looking good.

"He has been a big loss to us when he has been out.

"When he missed the semi-final against Hibs we thought maybe his career at Falkirk was over but it has given us time to get the fitness levels back into him."

Loy joins Dundee on a three-year deal and Houston knows he will want to end his time at Falkirk with a Cup winners' medal.

"Rory has loved his time at Falkirk," said the former Scotland assistant.

"Even after he signed the pre-contract with Dundee his attitude and commitment to Falkirk has been huge.

"Losing him had a big say in us not making the play-off places because I felt him and John Baird were very good.

"We have good strikers underneath that but they don't have the experience of Baird and Rory playing together.

"He will want to sign off playing first and foremost but I think he is desperate to win that cup as well."