FALKIRK have confirmed the appointment of Paul Hartley as their new manager.

The former Hearts, Celtic and Scotland midfielder takes over from Peter Houston, who was sacked after a poor start to the Ladbrokes Championship season.

The 40-year-old achieved three consecutive promotions with Alloa and Dundee before leading the latter to a top-six finish in the Premiership in 2015. He was sacked by the Dens Park club in April this year.

Falkirk announced that technical director Alex Smith would remain in caretaker charge for Saturday’s Irn-Bru Cup tie against Dunfermline before Hartley assumes control on Monday.

Hartley told the club’s official website: “I am absolutely delighted to be back in management and to have been given this opportunity with a club the size of Falkirk.”