Promotion would be perfect birthday present - Craig Sibbald

Craig Sibbald turned 21 on the eve of Falkirk's Ladbrokes Premiership play-off final against Kilmarnock - but it is on the pitch where he aims to come of age.

The midfielder has packed as much into his formative years as many more experienced footballers have their entire careers. He has scored a Scottish Cup semi-final winner and played in a final, lifted the Challenge Cup, represented his country at various age levels and is fast approaching 200 first-team appearances.

But the creative player has never tasted top-flight football and he is determined to get his team there ahead of Thursday's first leg at the Falkirk Stadium.

"That's been my aim since I first got into the Falkirk squad - to get us back into the Premiership," said Sibbald, who made his debut two months after his 16th birthday.

"Now we have a good chance to do it, so hopefully I get a good birthday present and get us up."

Despite the lack of top-tier experience, Falkirk have beaten Rangers, Hearts and Hibernian over the past two seasons so Kilmarnock should hold no fears for Peter Houston's side.

"The big attendances gets you used to it, the semi-finals and the finals I have been involved in as well," Sibbald said.

"It's a big-stakes game and I'll be nervous, but confident at the same time."

Falkirk's previous game against Kilmarnock was a goalless draw in May 2010 which sent them down and kept the Ayrshire side in the top flight.

So Sibbald and his team-mates have had to do their homework on Lee Clark's team this week.

"It's a bit different this time as we have not played Kilmarnock this season, so the gaffer has been telling us about them," he said.

"But they are a good side and they are in the Premiership for a reason and they will be well-equipped for Thursday and Sunday.

"We will need to be ready and just be confident on the day."