Hughes was happy with the backing from the Falkirk fans at Hampden

Falkirk manager John Hughes dedicated the Scottish Cup semi final win over Dunfermline to the fans who travelled to see the 2-0 triumph at Hampden.

Hughes, who has been under pressure since falling to the bottom of the SPL, said: "That was for the supporters.

"That was like the real Falkirk fans from my playing days, they got right behind the team.

"That's us made history, in making Europe for the first time. It was tough going but I thought we deserved it."

Tam Scobbie headed in a Neil McCann free kick and the veteran midfielder also played a part in the second goal, when he was felled for a penalty, which was converted by Scott Arfield.

And Hughes was full of praise for the former Hearts and Rangers winger.

"Neil McCann is everything I want at my club," enthused the delighted manager. "He's a fantastic professional and, along with a few others, he's in the twilight of his career, so maybe they deserve a wee day in the sun come May."

With Falkirk four points adrift at the foot of the table, Hughes hopes he can use the prospect of a return to Hampden on 30 May to face Rangers in the battle for SPL survival.

"This will hopefully give us a springboard," he continued. "It's a great motivational tool. Everyone will want a place in the starting eleven come cup final day."

Assistant manager Brian Rice echoed those thoughts but added that his focus would be firmly on beating Rangers at the season's finale.

"We want to stay up first and first and foremost but we don't want to turn up for the big match just to make up the numbers," he said, after revealing he would now have to cancel a booked trip to Magaluf, which clashes with the final date.

Rice also went on to defend Hughes from the recent flak the manager has taken over the club's poor league form.

"The Big Man is different class," he said. "He wears his heart on his sleeve. He's Falkirk 24/7 - we both are.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Are Falkirk fans fully behind John Hughes?

"We just want to achieve things with Falkirk.

"For people to slate John Hughes after what he's done in his six years at Falkirk is incredible."

Hughes also revealed that the memory of the late Craig Gowans had helped inspire his team before the semi-final at the national stadium.

Gowans died at the age of 17 when a long pole for nets at training he was carrying touched power lines in July 2005.

"That was also for Craig Gowans, 'the kid', that's what we played for out there today," he told BBC Scotland. "He's always with us."

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