Martin Ritchie has made clear the financial impact of facing Rangers, by revealing that drawing the Ibrox side in two cup competitions has been the difference between Falkirk selling a player and signing one.

Sean Higgins signed last week upon his release from St Johnstone, in a move facilitated by income gained from facing Rangers in the Ramsdens Cup and Scottish Communities League Cup.

"We have been working hard to get more experience into the squad," chairman Ritchie said. "What we have been able to do, thanks to the ties against Rangers, is instead of telling Steven [Pressley, manager] 'sorry, you have to sell a player', we have allowed him to sign an experienced player.

That is how we managed to get Sean, and Steven is very confident Sean will make a big impact once he settles in."