Bone believes both his old clubs should be in top flight
JIMMY BONE played a pivotal role in St Mirren’s Scottish Cup success as Alex Smith’s No.2 in the 1987 final victory over Dundee United.
Five months later he made the switch to Tannadice and helped Jim McLean return to Hampden in the following year’s showpiece.
And 30 years on from those heady days Bone admits it’s hard to accept they are both now in the second tier and preparing to contest the Challenge Cup Final.
Bone is delighted two of his old clubs will be running out at Fir Park but is just annoyed it’s in the final of the knockout competition for lower-league clubs.
The 67-year-old is convinced Saints and United belong in the top flight and remains convinced they will both be back there soon.
The SFA coach moved to Paisley as Smith’s No.2 the season before they defeated Dundee United thanks to Ian Ferguson’s extra-time winner. It remains the last time a team made up entirely of Scottish players won the trophy.
Bone knows just how good the United side was that the Buddies got the better of because he later worked with them under McLean after being edged out at Saints.
Bone then helped United reach the Final for the second time in a row but suffered heartache again against Celtic.
He said: “I know the potential of both clubs and they should be in the Premiership.
“I’m sure it will be a great final on Saturday because they have very good, modern managers at the helm. It’s great they have reached the Challenge Cup Final but it’s just a pity they’re in it in the first place.”
Bone enjoyed a four-year playing spell at Love Street under Alex Ferguson and admits it was an easy decision to return as Smith’s assistant eight years after leaving.
He said: “I was manager of Arbroath when Alex, who I knew as we are both Stirling boys, phoned me and asked me to join him.
“I didn’t think twice about it because I’d had four years as a player at Love Street when Fergie signed me and winning the Scottish Cup in 1987 was a fabulous thing.
“The bus tour around Paisley was sensational. I looked around and saw grown men crying.
“It was a spectacular sight with people out on their balconies and singing. That was really the only time we got to savour the triumph. We had a party that night then the next day we flew to Singapore for a pre-arranged tournament. The other thing I remember was the four weeks from the semi-final to the final, which is hard to deal with. It’s probably not so bad for clubs who are used to reaching finals and can handle it better.
“I don’t think we won a game from the semi to the final. It’s a massive thing. We beat Hearts in the semi – my club – and there was a sensational atmosphere at the final between two provincial clubs.
“Ian Ferguson’s goal won it in extra time. United were a bit unfortunate
because they had a goal disallowed. It was a tight game that could have gone either way. It was going to be a flash of quality to win it and Ian popped up and hit a great left-foot shot into the net.
“It was hard not to feel sorry for United because they lost the UEFA Cup Final just after we beat them.
“We were all desperate for them to beat Gothenburg and to be honest a lot of people wanted Jim McLean to win the Scottish Cup Final but it was just a fabulous day for St Mirren.”
A year later Bone had the chance to help United make up for the pain. He said: “Jim contacted me and I went up the very next day and joined his backroom staff.
“St Mirren were making changes and Tony Fitzpatrick and Frank McGarvey were coming into the management team so Alex Smith recommended me to United. It was a great opportunity for me to work with Jim.
“United got to the Scottish Cup Final again and we went one up through Kevin Gallacher before Frank McAvennie scored a couple of goals late on to win it for Celtic. It was great for me to join a club of that stature and work alongside someone like Jim.
“It was an education because he has his own style and nobody can doubt his incredible football knowledge.
“I only had a year and a half with him because the opportunity to become my own boss at Airdrie was too good to turn down.”
Bone will be watching hometown team Stirling on Saturday but will be listening out for score updates from Fir Park. He said: “I know results have been up and down but if they stick with Jack Ross and Ray McKinnon they’ll resurrect both clubs. They are just the right fit for Saints and United and will bring success. “This will be a big summer for them both and I’m sure they’ll sort themselves out and recruit well and be major contenders to go up, if United don’t manage it this season.”