Stark is sitting firmly on the fence as his old clubs go head to head
Jan 26 2013
by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express
Billy Stark is a man with a dilemma.
Two of his former clubs will go head to head at Hampden tomorrow afternoon to battle it out for a place in this season’s Scottish Communities League Cup Final.
Stark began his professional career at St Mirren and went on to play more than 250 times for the Paisley club, scoring 60 goals from midfield.
He is rightly considered to be a Buddies legend, so surely he’ll be backing Danny Lennon and his men at the National Stadium this weekend?
However, Stark’s problem is that he’s also something of a legend at tomorrow’s opponents, Celtic.
In three seasons with the Old Firm giants, he won the League Championship and twice tasted victory in the Scottish Cup Final.
As a result, 56-year-old Stark is sitting so firmly on the fence ahead of tomorrow’s cup clash that he is in danger of suffering splinters in his bum!
The affable Glaswegian, who now works as the Scotland Under-21 coach, told the Paisley Daily Express: “Thankfully, I have great memories from every club I’ve played with, which means I would never choose one over another.
“Of course, Saints were my first senior club and I have a great affection for them but I will be sitting safely on the fence for this game!
“Paisley was a great place to learn my trade and there is always an extra fondness attached to your first club.”
Stark signed for St Mirren from juveniles Anniesland Waverley in 1975 and stayed with the Buddies until 1983, when he made an £80,000 move to Aberdeen.
“I loved my time at St Mirren,” he recalled. “It was just such an enjoyable place to be.
“Not long after I signed up, Alex Ferguson took over as manager and he was great at promoting youth players, which meant guys like myself, Tony Fitzpatrick and Frank McGarvey were handed a great opportunity.
“We played without any real fear that first season and stormed up to the Premier League. The gaffer then added guys like Jackie Copland and Jimmy Bone – a bit of experience – and that made us even stronger.”
Stark, who was recently put in temporary charge of the full Scottish national side prior to the appointment of Gordon Strachan, earned a reputation as a silky midfielder who had a real eye for goal.
And he reckons there will be no shortage of goals at Hampden tomorrow.
“I‘m really looking forward to the game because I expect it to be played in the right manner,” said Stark.
“I think there will be goals. Saints are going into the game off the back of a bad result against Ross County last weekend but anything can happen in cup football, although they will need to tighten up at the back.
“Naturally, with Celtic cruising at the top of the SPL, they will start as red-hot favourites but Danny Lennon has got his team playing well and they definitely have a chance.
“Celtic are used to playing on the big stage and have played at Hampden many, many times over the years but teams like Kilmarnock have shown recently that they can be defeated in the showpiece games.
“No-one should think that Celtic are invincible but Saints will need to be at the top of their game if they want to go on to the final.”
