ROSS SHOWS WHO IS BOSS

JACK ROSS is determined to bag a hat-trick of wins as Falkirk skipper.

Ross has worn the captain's armband for the last two weeks as the Bairns have notched up victories over Dundee United and Dunfermline.

Team captain Steven Thomson returned to the squad for the win against the Pars last week after recovering from injury but Ross is hoping to lead his side out at Tynecastle this afternoon.

Ross said: "It is a huge honour for me to captain my hometown club, especially in the SPL. To be unbeaten is a massive bonus and I was joking with Thommo that if he returns to the side this week against Hearts then I will b e a tough act to follow.

"We are good mates off the park and alongside Kenny Milne we are the most experienced players at the club.

"I would love the chance to captain the side at a place like Tynecastle."

Ross is hoping to take advantage of any Euro hangover the Jambos may have after their midweek Champions League exertions against AEK Athens.

He said: "They have had two very tough games against Celtic and AEK and the fact that they are playing us might lead to some kind of comedown factor that could work out to our advantage."

Meanwhile, Bairns boss John Hughes last night admitted he would love to be playing at Tynecastle this afternoon.

The former Hib s and Celtic defender rates the Gorgie ground as his favourite venue because of the spine-tingling noise generated by the proximity of the crowd to the pitch.

He knows that some players can be knocked off their stride by the racket but hopes his side rise to the occasion.

He said: "It's my favourite stadium to play your football. Some players relish it but it might affect other players.

"I have told my players I wish I was playing. It's absolutely fantastic to go there and play."

Hughes insists he will not be making an improved bid for highly-rated Stenhousemuir youngster David Templeton.

The Bairns last week had a £20,000 bid rejected for the 17-year-old striker, who has been interesting a host of clubs and has been on trial with Newcastle.

But Hughes said: "We feel we've gone far enough."

Taken from the Daily Record