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.
“When you are building a winning run like that and it comes to an end it’s amazing how quickly people lose perspective. That’s why I was pleased to see Postecoglou wasn’t too flustered about losing at St Mirren.
“He knows that all runs have to come to an end, that’s part of football. It’s inevitable but you keep it going for as long as you can.
“Ange will keep things calm as that’s his way. I watched the St Mirren game and it was a classic example of a team coming off the back of a European game and a manager opting to change personnel.
“It’s only when the result goes against you does it become clear it was the wrong thing to do. That’s the easy part for people to evaluate, it’s always easier after the event.
“There’s an argument to be made about the issues around wanting to freshen up the team after Europe as you can drop points just as Celtic did in Paisley. There’s the big European game away against Shakhtar Donetsk and all of the emotion and energy which goes with that.
“But I wondered if Celtic would go again with the same side due to the international break coming after the St Mirren game. They left out the likes of Jota and Reo Hatate who are big creative forces in the team and the obvious ones to look at.
“But the big miss for me was Cameron Carter-Vickers as his presence provides stability in the heart of Celtic’s defence. He has been terrific so he’s the one they missed most. That figure of authority not being there had an impact.”
The 2-0 loss at the Buddies had the likes of Aaron Mooy, Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh auditioning for starting berths. But Stark doesn’t believe any of these players have to carry the can. Instead he pointed to the problems of rotation on the back of a European game against a team such as Shakhtar.
He said: “It’s a simplistic view to think that these players should have been bursting to play and done far better. There was no lack of effort, poor attitude or anything like that. It was just one of those away games where
St Mirren managed to score the breakthrough goal, Celtic huffed and puffed but they didn’t really create much.
“I wouldn’t criticise the strength and depth but, when you make a few changes, it can definitely affect your fluency.
“St Mirren have shown they have a capable and physical side, one that’s well organised and difficult to break down. Celtic failed to make an early breakthrough and then they lost a couple of goals – it happens in football.”
Stark watched from the outside as Postecoglou replaced Neil Lennon as manager and reclaimed the league crown from Rangers.
He’s fulsome in his praise of an Australian whose secret is all about getting value for money. Stark said: “I have never met Ange but I have been very impressed.
“When you look at where Celtic were when he came in, he has done an incredible job. That has basically been down to his recruitment.
“He’s proved to be very shrewd, especially in the Japanese market with Kyogo Furuhashi, Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi all coming in. He’s been given the resources to recruit but that market has been amazing for him.
“Most of his other signings have also hit the ground running so it’s been an absolutely amazing job that he’s done.”
Celtic’s European and domestic commitments loom large after the international break and Stark admits there will be some prophets of doom ahead of the Hoops hosting Motherwell on Saturday.
He said: “The Motherwell game is up next then it’s RB Leipzig – it’s thick and fast. But I remember watching Rangers last season going into an Old Firm game before a big European tie. I thought if they lost those games then the manager would be under extreme pressure.
“They managed to win them but that’s the way it is at the Old Firm. If there’s a defeat people immediately look beyond it and start putting pressure on the next game when another loss would be regarded as a disaster.
“Motherwell will be similar to St Mirren, they are strong and organised and Celtic never have it easy when they play against them. But I don’t have any doubts about Celtic bouncing back.
“It’s still early days in the title race but Celtic have recruited far better than Rangers. Both clubs are in the Champions League, which makes European demands equal and that will be a factor due to the strength and depth.
“I would make Celtic favourites for the title – but there’s loads of football yet to be played.”
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