Flashback Alex had to fight for his right to strike

St Mirren hitman Alex Burke once insisted there was no chance of him getting preferential treatment from manager Gus MacPherson – because competition for places at Love Street was so fierce.

The two men were team-mates at Kilmarnock for five years before Burke made the move to Clydebank and then Falkirk.

But the well-travelled striker, who has also played for Berwick Rangers, Queen of the South and Ross County, insisted his past links with the Buddies boss counted for nothing when it came to battling for a first team place with St Mirren.

Burke made his competitive debut for MacPherson’s team in 2006 having signed for St Mirren’s first tilt at the Premiership in six years.

However, the former Victoria Park ace reckoned he had to be patient Strike force

St Mirren FC is a club with a proud tradition — and a history to match.

They have been at the centre of the Scottish game since their formation in 1877.

Today, we look back at the Love Street career of Saints hitman Alex Burke.

and bide his time for a regular starting role up front.

He said: “When the gaffer signed me everybody thought that, because I was with him at Rugby Park, he was going to play me – but I know that I have to be patient.

“I’m just like everybody else here at the club, I’m fighting away to try to get into the team and, if I get a chance, then I have to take it.

“The gaffer keeps saying, especially to all the guys who are not involved in the first team, that it’s a long season and we are going to get called upon. There are only four games gone and 34 still to go, so we all have to be patient.”

But Burke admitted that he was delighted to get a run-out against Stenhousemuir as he aimed to catch the gaffer’s eye.

He said: “I was champing at the bit and I was hoping to come on after half time. When I did get on, I enjoyed it.

“I was just delighted to get a run out and make my debut.

“It was a good result for us because cup ties are always tricky. Thankfully, our boys were clinical in front of goal.”

The experienced man would go on to turn out close to 30 times for the Buddies over two seasons but that extended spell in the first team was never forthcoming.

A spell at Dunfermline followed before hanging up his boots at Ayr United.