Praise indeed from Pierre Littbarski for Eddie May as he wins his first European game.

New Falkirk manager Eddie May started his managerial career off with a win last night and revealed he was given an endorsement of his football philosophy by German World Cup legend Pierre Littbarski. The Bairns secured a 1-0 win over Littbarski led FC Vaduz in the first leg of their Europa League second qualifier. The home side celebrated their European debut with a win after Ryan Flynn, the former Falkirk academy player on a season-long loan from Liverpool, scored with a deflected drive five minutes after the break. May, the former Bairns youth coach, knows what it takes to spot and develop young talent and had helped develop first-team regulars from last season Darren Barr, Tam Scobbie and Scott Arfield. Last night May gave debuts to summer signings Flynn and teenager Alex MacDonald as well as Brian McLean and Marc Twaddle who was returning to the club for the second time.

One nil up and confident of winning through after the second leg in Liechtenstein next Thursday, May said: "Littbarski told me that he noticed that I was going with young players and that it was the best way forward. That was his advice for me. I have huge respect for him and what he done as a player and I think his team did very well tonight. It was important for the players that we won and it was important that we kept a clean sheet. They put in good crosses and we defended it well so we can go there and maybe hit on the counter attack, and if we get a goal it will be more difficult for them."

Looking back on the game, May paid tribute to scorer Flynn, saying: "Flynn has only been training for four days. He was coming off his holidays when we signed him so he has a lot more to show as has Alex MacDonald. We will try to improve them and I'm sure they will enhance us. The four guys who have come in have shown a standard and that's why they are here."

Littbarski, who claimed before the game his side were 100-1 to win the tie, confirmed his admiration for the young Falkirk side but was confident his team would progress through to the third qualifying round. He said: "Falkirk's young players did very well. MacDonald worked his butt off and he was exhausted but their lack of experience was covered by a lot of courage and motivation. But they will face a different FC Vaduz in the second game. I am sure we will produce better goal chances than we did today. I think Falkirk are a good team but I'm sure we will go through to the next round." Littbarski claimed his side could have won a penalty when Barr clashed with Marco Colocci inside the penalty area as they pushed for an equaliser. He said: "The referee had the whistle in his mouth, that was a clear chance for me and there was no chance to play the advantage."
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