Dylan Tait has a ‘point to prove’ as Falkirk face former side Hibernian

Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait will face Hibernian with a “point to prove” after being handed just 13 minutes of first-team action during three years as a player at Easter Road.

Tait moved to Hibs in August 2021 but his only appearance came off the bench in a League Cup win over Clyde the following July.

The 23-year-old was loaned back to Raith Rovers before temporary spells with Kilmarnock, Arbroath, Hamilton and Falkirk, who he signed a permanent deal with in summer 2024 after being reunited with former Rovers boss John McGlynn.

After winning successive league winners’ medals, Tait earned his place in the William Hill Premiership and netted in Falkirk’s opener against Dundee United.

Looking back on his Easter Road spell ahead of Hibernian’s visit on Tuesday, Tait said: “Obviously it was a bit disappointing because when I signed there I had expectations to go and do well.

“When I was at Hibs there was a lot of change. I had five managers in two years so I didn’t really get that consistency.

“It’s just one of these things in football,, sometimes you need to take a step back down to get going again. That’s what I’m doing at the moment.

“Obviously, playing against your old club, there’s a wee point to prove that I can play at this level and I didn’t quite get that opportunity when I was there.”

Tait, who has five goals in all competitions this season, said: “Obviously when I moved here it was my intention to try and play in the Premiership but I had to go a longer route. Now I’m here, I appreciate it a lot.

“It’s down to the manager that’s given me the opportunity to come play at this level and I just want to repay him.

“Obviously I worked with the manager when I was younger and I just really enjoy working with him and Smudger (Paul Smith). They get the best out of me. They let me play my football and give me a freedom in the game. Right now it’s paying off.”

McGlynn said: “I always believed he could come back. He’s a natural football player. He’s got a really, really good football brain, he can hurt teams, he can score goals. He just needs to add a little bit more of the defensive side.

“He’s got back to the football that he was producing when he was coming through as a young player at Raith.

“Football is all about experience, good, bad and indifferent and using it to the best that you can.

“He has done that and obviously stayed very, very positive, always believing that he would rise again…he stayed strong and we were delighted to get him back.”

Tait came through the Raith ranks with Scotland international Kieron Bowie, who also ended up at Hibs following a move to Fulham and loan spells with Northampton.

McGlynn said: “He’s turned into a beast. When he came through, he was a big boy, but he was a boy. You could see the potential in him.

“We gave him opportunities and we threw him in quite early. And he relished it. He has no fear whatsoever. He just goes out and puts everything into a game of football.”