McCann makes his case as Falkirk weigh options at left-back
Falkirk’s preparations for their second season back in the Scottish Premiership have taken a competitive turn at full-back, with Leon McCann forcing the issue after scoring the winner in a friendly against KRC Genk. The 26-year-old, widely viewed as one of the Bairns’ standout performers in last year’s top-flight campaign and a key part of their top-six finish, is pushing to reclaim the starting berth following two early-season starts for summer arrival Scott Tanser.
The club have opened the Premier Sports Cup group stage with contrasting results — a resounding win followed by a narrow defeat. Across both competitive fixtures to date, manager John McGlynn has favoured Tanser on the left of defence and publicly commended the new signing’s consistency, leaving McCann working from the bench in the early going.
Two strong candidates, one position
McCann’s response came in timely fashion. Handed an opportunity in Saturday’s meeting with Belgian opposition, he found the decisive goal to underline his credentials. The full-back’s message afterwards was simple: he wants the shirt back and intends to earn it on merit.
“I’ve never been one to want to sit on the bench or be happy to miss out,” he said. “I want to play all the time… I just have to keep doing my best in training and in matches to try and impress.”
He was quick to stress there is no personal edge to the contest, praising Tanser’s professionalism and track record. The reality, however, is stark: there is one position, and two players currently making strong cases for it.
Early-season picture: cup results and selection calls
Falkirk’s first two competitive outings of the season in the Premier Sports Cup have provided a snapshot of where selection stands. Tanser, a close-season recruit, has started both, drawing positive notes from the technical area after a 5-0 win at Edinburgh City and even in the wake of a surprise 1-0 loss to the Honest Men days later. McCann, despite his influential performances last season, is having to stake his claim from behind — but his impact against KRC Genk ensures the debate will continue into the next fixtures.
| Competition | Opponent | Result | Left-back starter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Sports Cup (Group) | Edinburgh City | 5-0 win | Scott Tanser |
| Premier Sports Cup (Group) | Honest Men | 0-1 loss | Scott Tanser |
What it means for Falkirk
For McGlynn, the situation presents a positive form of pressure. Competition at full-back strengthens the side’s depth as the schedule builds, and the manager’s public praise of Tanser, paired with McCann’s sharp contribution in a high-quality friendly, suggests selection could be fluid. With Falkirk seeking to consolidate their place in the Premiership following last year’s return, defensive reliability and attacking thrust from wide areas will remain central to how the team progress across league and cup.
McCann, who describes last season as an upward step for his career, is determined not to be defined by a single campaign. He noted that football’s memory can be short and that maintaining standards is key to avoiding the “one season wonder” tag. The friendly winner will bolster his confidence, but he accepts that training levels and match contributions must convince the coaching staff.
- Depth at left-back: Tanser’s consistent displays and McCann’s proven pedigree give Falkirk two ready options.
- Immediate form versus past performance: Early-season selections have favoured form, though last term’s output from McCann remains part of the assessment.
- Fixture demands: Premier Sports Cup games provide a platform to rotate and refine before league intensity peaks.
Next steps in the selection battle
As the group stage continues, every outing becomes a data point for the coaching staff. McCann’s goal against KRC Genk adds weight to his argument for inclusion, while Tanser’s early consistency strengthens his. For supporters, the scenario offers reassurance: whether the shirt goes to the summer signing or last season’s regular, the left side of Falkirk’s defence appears well-stocked with in-form competition.
In the short term, McGlynn’s choice may hinge on match-by-match requirements — whether the priority is defensive assurance, delivery from wide areas, or energy against specific opponents. What is clear is that Falkirk, building on last season’s progress, head into the coming weeks with a healthy dilemma at a key position and players keen to set the tone for the campaign ahead.
