Billy has some painful memories of cup semi-finals
Jan 26 2013
by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express
Three decades have passed by since Billy Stark left St Mirren ... but memories of losing cup semi-finals with the Paisley club remain painfully fresh in his mind.
And he reckons Saints will need to enjoy a bigger slice of luck than he experienced during his time there if they are to shock Celtic at Hampden tomorrow.
Stark said: “We suffered a lot of cruel misfortune in cup semis when I was at St Mirren and that still grates with me.
“I remember playing against Rangers in the last four of the League Cup and we drew 2-2 at home, with Frank McAvennie scoring twice.
“We then lost the second leg 2-1 at Ibrox but we were robbed by a string of awful decisions. It was a really sore one to take.
“After that, we were at Hampden for another semi-final that was known for the goal-that-never-was. Sandy Clark got the winner, although the ball never crossed the line.
“Billy Abercromby was on the post that night and still swears to this day that it wasn’t over the line.
“It was a real shame for the players because we deserved to get to at least one of those finals but it was taken out of our hands.”
