McGlynn was ‘a million miles away’ from top flight

During his four years away from management, Falkirk manager John McGlynn claims a return to Scotland’s top flight as head coach was “a million miles away.”

After leading Falkirk to the Scottish Championship title, McGlynn, 63, was named PFA Scotland manager of the year for the second year in a row.

After completing Falkirk’s 15-year absence from the top flight, McGlynn defeated Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and Hibernian head coach David Gray.

When questioned about the prize’s significance, he responded, “Everything, absolutely everything.” It’s amazing to be around people.

McGlynn is the first man to triple his success, having first won it in his first season with Raith Rovers in 2011.

The 63-year-old then worked under Rodgers and Ronny Delia before leaving Hearts and Livingston in 2014 and taking a backroom position at Celtic.

It’s always in you, as I was before I entered the game, and it’s always in you.

It was really up in the air whether I could have gotten back in. I have a really good relationship with Dan Rodgers, and I really admire him for his contributions.

He has actually assisted the teams I’ve worked for since I left Celtic. I gained a lot from my time working as an opposition analyst and scout.

Since his return to management with Raith Rovers in 2018, McGlynn says those lessons have been very helpful.

He claimed that because of his connections with Raith Rovers, employment was available.

I had the opportunity to go back and then succeeded in achieving my goal of playing in that manner, in that manner, and then to take it to Falkirk.

He later joined Falkirk in 2022 after missing out on a promotion with the Kirkcaldy club.

After an unbeaten League 1 campaign, McGlynn’s second season with the Bairns led to promotion, and he then won the Championship title without asking.

He said, “I went to Raith Rovers and tried to play the same kind of style with different players, obviously, as I did Celtic.”

Raith Rovers played some incredible football, which was unfortunate for them to not win the Premiership once more, before moving to Falkirk and accomplishing what they did was absolutely incredible.

The fans are enthralled, they’re coming along, they’re getting entertained, and we’re usually winning because we’ve got the right players in, and they do the right thing.