Billy Stark knows better than most about a winning run coming to an abrupt halt at Celtic. Ange Postecoglou ’s 364-day domestic unbeaten streak was finally ended by St Mirren last weekend in Paisley.
It made former Hoops assistant and caretaker manager Stark recall his own blot in the copybook alongside Tommy Burns back in December 1996. No team other than champions Rangers had beaten Celtic for over a year but that was brought to a shuddering halt by Motherwell. To make the scenario worse, the Steelmen had to finish the game with midfielder Jamie Dolan in goal.
Scotland Under-19s coach Stark recalls how the 2-1 loss triggered criticism and hysteria and he believes it’s an example of no-half measures in football. He said: “I remember sitting in the dugout with Tam when we lost that game at Motherwell after going so long without a defeat. It was as though the world had caved in.
