The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stark predicting bright future for Scotland’ s youths
Scotland Under-19s head coach Billy Stark says the future is bright for the country’s next crop of youngsters after announcing his intention to retire from football.
The 67-year-old enjoyed a stellar and decorated career as a midfielder with St Mirren, Aberdeen, Celtic, Kilmarnock and Hamilton and he managed at clubs such as Morton, St Johnstone and Queen’s Park.
Stark, who has had two spells with the Scottish Football Association – first as under-21s head coach then latterly as under19s boss – will call time on his career later this month.
Stark recently guided the under-19s to the Uefa European Championships elite round, but the young Scots endured a disappointing week in Italy and were unable to qualify for this summer’s finals.
Stark said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with the best young players in Scotland throughout my two spells at the association.
“I would like to thank the staff and players who have helped me throughout the years.
“Regarding our most recent group, we are proud of qualifying for the elite round and, although it was disappointing not to progress, the players in this group will be better for the experience and I am certain we will see them continue to flourish in the future.”
Stark began his playing career with St Mirren and picked up a First Division winners’ medal with the Buddies before signing for Aberdeen in 1983.
There he won two league titles, two Scottish Cups, a League Cup and a Uefa Super Cup, before adding two further Scottish Cup wins and a league title during a three-year stint at Celtic.
After ending his playing career at Kilmarnock, he joined Celtic as assistant boss to Tommy Burns and he would lead the Glasgow club in a caretaker capacity for a couple of matches when Burns left in 1997.
Stark managed Morton, St Johnstone and Queen’s Park before a move to the SFA and the under-21s followed.
Following Craig Levein’s departure as the Scotland boss, Stark led the senior side in one match, a 2-1 win against Luxembourg.
He left the SFA in 2014 to spend time with Albion Rovers and East Kilbride before returning to the Scotland youth set-up in 2018.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “Billy’s had a hand in the development of different generations of players within the current Scotland squad and I have no doubt we will continue to see his positive impact on the national team for years to come.”