Falkirk have confirmed that veteran players Owen Coyle and John Hughes will take control of the team until the end of the season, following the departure of Ian McCall.

And the angry First Division leaders have made it clear they will be seeking a hefty compensation package from Dundee United for McCall, who was under contract at Brockville until 2005.

Falkirk chairman Campbell Christie is upset at the way the Tannadice club conducted the business of approaching McCall and his assistants Gordon Chisholm and Tony Docherty.

He said: "I deplore the activities of Dundee United on this issue because there was absolutely no contact with the club.

"They knew all three were under contract with Falkirk yet induced them to breach their contracts.

"We are considering what steps to take regarding compensation.

"A figure of �500,000 wouldn't be out of order because we signed a team to run our business for the next two-and-a-half years.

"Without a shadow of a doubt we will look to the law if we do not receive adequate compensation."

Much-travelled striker Coyle is looking forward to the new challenge of management.

He said: "It's an opportunity for myself and Yogi and we just have to make the most of it and hope that the players can continue where they left off."

The club received a timely boost on Friday morning when Falkirk Council granted permission for building work to get underway at Brockville Stadium.

The money raised from a proposed supermarket project will enable the club to construct a new ground.

The current crumbling state of Brockville prevents the team from being promoted to the SPL.

The Bairns have also completed the signing of former Airdrie midfielder Stuart Taylor from Irish side Drogheda United until the end of the season.