Image source, SNSByBrian McLauchlinBBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter- Published41 minutes ago
Manager John McGlynn says leading Falkirk out at a Scottish Cup final would represent the "pinnacle" of his career as the club prepare for a crucial last-four tie against Dunfermline Athletic this weekend.
The Scottish Premiership side face Neil Lennon's men at Hampden on Saturday at 12:30 BST - live on the BBC - with a place in May's showpiece at stake.
McGlynn has already led Falkirk to a top-six finish in the Premiership this term after securing back-to-back promotions from the third tier of Scottish football.
However, the 64-year-old is determined to cap a stunning season with the first major silverware of his managerial career.
"It would be a great honour to take the team out in a Scottish Cup final," McGlynn told BBC Scotland. "For myself, [assistant coaches] Paul Smith and Steven McGinn, and all the backroom staff, it would reflect all the work that's been put in.
"To take the team into the Premiership, be in a strong position and reach a Scottish Cup final - that would be the pinnacle of our careers.
"We know we'll have to work extremely hard to get there and maybe need a bit of luck along the way, but walking out at Hampden for a final would be a very proud moment.
"We can't look beyond Dunfermline. If we get through, then anything can happen."
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Media caption,Watch Rangers score six in nine-goal thriller at Falkirk
Falkirk go into the semi-final on the back of a heavy 6-3 home defeat by Rangers - a match in which they led 2-0.
McGlynn, whose side remain sixth in the Premiership following the loss, admitted the game was a harsh lesson for his players.
Meanwhile, Championship side Dunfermline, who have beaten Premiership pair Hibernian and Aberdeen to reach this stage, had an eight-game unbeaten run ended by title-chasing Partick Thistle at the weekend.
"It was going so smoothly for us," McGlynn said of Sunday's loss. "We were playing very well and everything was going to plan.
"But when you get yourselves 2-0 up, you've got to take that opportunity and we didn't. When teams like Rangers and Celtic get into that rhythm, they can be very difficult to stop.
"We struggled defensively as a team and were punished. It wasn't nice to look back on - it was painful. But we've dusted ourselves down and focused on what's ahead.
"We've got so much to play for, especially this week. This is a huge game, and we've got to learn from what happened."
