THE FALKIRK ZEAL
Callumn’s to the four as he bids to fire Bairns to title and brighter future
CALLUMN MORRISON reckons much brighter times are ahead for Falkirk after years in the doldrums.
Bairns are so close to ending five years languishing in League One, knowing victory at Montrose on Saturday live on TV will secure the title.
Wing star Morrison was the star of the show against Edinburgh City.
Not content with bagging his first-ever hat-trick, the 24-year-old hit a late fourth.
A crowd of 5684 packed the Falkirk Stadium hoping this would be the party day. It looked like their prayers would be answered – until Hamilton’s late show secured victory at Cove to keep Bairns waiting.
But it is surely only a matter of time and Morrison believes being champions will be a fitting reward for everyone at the club.
He said: “I have been here four years now so I’ve been here through the bad times and now the good times are starting to come.
“It’s a bit of a relief for everybody, not just myself but the fans, the staff.
“Everyone has put hard work into it and I think everyone deserves it.
“We have put ourselves in a good place now and are not reliant on anyone else next week.
“It’s a good challenge for us to get back into the Championship where we belong.
“If we can keep the squad that we have and add a few to it, I think that we will be up there. It’s a great football club with a big fan base.”
Morrison gave Falkirk the lead in the 20th minute from the spot after City’s Frankie Dean was penalised for a high challenge on Sean Mackie.
Morrison grabbed his second just before the break before slamming home his hat-trick shortly after the hour mark.
And he capped a memorable afternoon, bagging his second from the penalty spot late on to take his tally for the season to 23, making him Scotland’s top league marksman ahead of Lawrence Shankland. Momodou Sambou hit an injury-time consolation goal for City.
Morrison said: “I’m delighted to add to the goal tally although the most important thing was to take care of the game today.
“We were hoping that another result went our way which it didn’t, but it’s all in our hands to go and win next week and wrap it up.
“We are just happy to win the game and it gives us a good stepping stone for next week to wrap it up.
“The fans have played a massive part. The wee Ultras group behind the goal get the full stadium going.
“It gives you the extra 10 per cent that you need sometimes.
“It’s good to have that behind the goal because it’s been a wee bit flat the last couple of years and they have brought something different to the stadium. It’s a different feeling between us and the fans this season.
“I was saying to the boys I have waited years for a hat-trick, then when I score three I get four – it’s been worth the wait!”
Morrison thought about giving the second penalty to team-mate Gary Oliver but he said : “I was going to give it to Gaz but thought I need to try and kick on.
“I’ve seen the goalscorer charts and obviously want to be up there. It’s great for a winger to score that many goals and I am delighted with it.”
While the title is in Falkirk’s hands, if Hamilton slip up against Queen of the South on Saturday, John McGlynn’s men could be champions before they kick-off at Montrose later that day.
It’s been a long, often painful wait but that’s all about to end for Bairns, boss McGlynn and his backroom staff.