Hughes wants his young players to show greater strength

Falkirk head coach John Hughes says the 2-1 defeat by Kilmarnock showed why he had signed some veteran players for next season's SPL campaign.

"It tells me a bit about their character," he said.

"Maybe the reason why we did not get into the top six is because, when it comes down to it, I don't have enough bottle in my team.

"And that's the reason why I have brought in experience. Hopefully, they are guys who are winners."

Experienced trio Jackie McNamara, Lee Bullen and Neil McCann will move to Falkirk Stadium in the summer.

At Rugby Park, Hughes had Robert Olejnik in goal after on-loan Shane Supple returned to Ipswich for a finger operation.

Defender Brian Allison made his first start of the season in place of Darren Barr, while midfielder Arnau Riera came back into the side for teenager Scott Arfield.

"I thought, at times, we played some good stuff, but we were too slow and Kilmarnock thoroughly deserved the win," said Hughes, whose side finished seventh this season.

"It's all right protecting young kids. But there's a great saying - if you are in the first team, you have got to stand up to it and I just felt one or two did not stand up to it."