John McMlynn is surrounded by paperwork, pens and computer kit while he is in a modest office deep in the intestines of the Falkirk Stadium and considering what can only be described as a seismic season.
Fresh from an outing to Torremolinos, the 63-year-old manager is clear when he prepares for the return of the Bairns to the Scottish top flight after an absence of 15 years.
Preparations have been complete since the winners of the championship returned to training for the season. There was a 'wake-up call' when they were defeated 3-2 by Edinburgh City, followed by a successful league campaign in which they saw their section with three wins and a draw.
Now McMlynn is in reflective mood while he makes his stall for the upcoming campaign, starting with the visit of Dundee United on Sunday. His inspiration for the big comeback of the club comes as a surprise.
“We actually looked a lot at Paris Saint Germain, because PSG is the team of the moment,” he says Mail Sport.
'We look at the way they play and how we can replicate that, do what they do. We show some videos to the boys, almost every morning, especially in the preseason, so you put the cloak down in terms of how you continue. '
The idea of Falkirk who is looking for a template of the Champions League winners this year may not be as crazy as it sounds.
Naturally deprived of big names, this all comes down to the Bairns; How can, realistically, a team that has risen exponentially from the lower ranks, without the 'star' players being associated with people like Celtic and Rangers, assuming the power of the Premiership?
Looking for PSG can actually give some answers.
When the men of Luis Enrique insured their European title after a emphatic 5-0 Thrashing from Inter Milan, it was a huge declaration of intent and proved that teamwork was larger than 'Star Power' for a side that had previously poured Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
“PSG had just won the Champions League,” McMlynn muses. 'And I am, I look at how they won it, when the team that Messi had in it had mbappe in it, had Neymar in it, had a little further back Angel di Maria, could not do that.
'They are all superstars, so what is the difference between that team and the one who just won it? This team works together. They do not rely on an individual. It is the whole team that has been synchronized, the way they press. If you go, they all go. And they do it so quickly, with speed, energy, dedication, aggression. They press and they win the ball high. And if they don't do that and they are broken, their recovery is incredible.
'If you look at the manager, he has done so quickly to turn that team around. Younger players and more of a team, instead of just individuals. This is an important point that I am now trying to convey. '
McGlynn is a big fan of his Spanish counterpart. “Enrique is absolute class,” he continues.
“He is at a different level. And to get through that route where loads have tried, many PSG managers have tried to do that work, and he did it in a way that was so exciting to look at.
“I just think he has controlled them better. I think it might be very difficult to control Messi, demonstrably the best player in the world. Mbappe is perhaps the best player for others.
'It is probably such superstars that they get away with only their individual skills.
'The manager now has that this team works as a whole unit, he has more control over them. They are younger, they have the chance to listen and take things on board. Instead of thinking: “Well, give me the ball and I will score a goal” – which happens.
'For example, Messi is incredible, but if your team doesn't have the ball, then you're down a man. I am sure there will be people who criticize that, because how can you criticize Messi? But then I look at it and I think: “Well, in 2022, 2023 they couldn't win the Champions League”.
'They have done it now, through the organization, the working speed, the pace, the intensity with which they played. Inter Milan was steamed.
'Now, I know, I'm just John McMlynn, manager of Falkirk Football Club. We have been to League One for five years. But that's just the way I look at it.
'I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but you have to look at the top.
'See how they do it at the highest level and see what works. If you can convey that to the players, it is what counts. '
McMlynn's enthusiasm for the game is contagious. It is easy to see why the former hearts, Livingston and Raith Rovers Boss recommend the respect of his players wherever he goes.
He is directly down, salt from the earth. His fundamental principles are continued from the ambition, from the concept that hard work, promoting a winning mentality and showing humility, will ultimately lead to your ultimate goal.
However, realism is the key. As a fan outfit, Falkirk simply cannot compete financially against the clubs of the Top-Flight-van whose some are supported by a new cohort of rich American owners.
An alternative approach with feasible goals is essential if they hope to retain their status and not just fall back to the second layer after a season.
“I now look at Rangers with the 49 people and the money that will be pumped there,” says McMlynn.
'Tony Bloom comes in in hearts and the money that goes in there. The Gordon family, together with the Black Knights, there is a lot of money involved for HIBS.
'Celtic is going to clearly try to beat them all. Then you have the two Dundee teams who have American owners who are not afraid to put their hands in their pockets. So there are many teams that can go out and spend a lot of money and the boys here can take on superstars.
'If we work as a team, we might be able to do a little what PSG does to others. This is my way of thinking, that if we can work them out and organize them, we can come to the top.
'We are a team for the foot, we press high. We did that in League One, in the championship, in Scottish Cup tires and competitionups. That is the way we want to try to set up. Of course we will have to adjust if we have to.
'We just go from week to week and watch the opposition. We will not change our philosophy, but we may be more aware of certain aspects that can pop up. By that I almost mean playing the game before you play the game.
In the end this is a special dressing room. The team spirit is great, there is a good chat every day. They enjoy their work and they enjoy winning.
'We have won a lot in the past two or three years. We must be strong because I cannot see that we win as many games as we have done. That is just the reality.
'As long as we win enough games to be in a good position, it will be another spring in our cap.
'We now have 5,600 seasonal card holders, which is a phenomenal amount for Falkirk. It is certainly a good time to be here, and we are happy with the job we have done.
“One thing is certain, that task is not ready yet.”