Mour offers us that Factor that only ong every so often
regular there one day. He also has the perfect attitude for a young player.
“He is humble and just wants to work hard and improve his game.
“Nathan Patterson at Rangers is another one I know well, and really like. But in his case, I am not sure he will get enough first- team opportunities over the coming weeks to press his claim.”
Stark is most excited about Gilmour’s prospects.
“If there was one player you could see Steve taking into the group to get him involved, it would be Billy because he has got everything,” he said.
“You look at the senior side, at what a brilliant achievement it was to qualify for the Euros, and it would be fair to say we are pretty well served in all areas of the pitch. “Ou r m i d f i e l d options, in particular, have been particularly strong for a lot of years now.
“But Billy offers us that special X Factor that only comes along every so often.
“He is a kid who has gone into games at the very, very top level – the likes of Liverpool v Chelsea – and been the Man of the Match.
“What he has done in those matches has had the pundits on
Match Of The Day raving about his ability.
“Hi s p o i s e, his vision, his composure on the ball, the ability to see a pass that others can’t, are all off the scale.
“In terms of Scotland, too, he has done the hard work. He has played his way right up through the levels.
“He took part in the Victory Shield and, of course, was a stand- out for us in the Toulon tournament three years ago ( where he was voted Revelation of the Tournament).
“All our coaches have known about his potential, and been excited to see what he will become.
“Frank Lampard was a big fan of Billy, so it is a shame that he has moved on.
“I know Thomas Tuchel likes him, too, but doesn’t seem ready to give him the same game time.
“He will be just fine, though, because whether it takes a loan move or not, his ability will keep pushing him forward.”
Which was exactly what happened with Griffiths back in 2012.
“Leigh was with Hibs back then, on loan from Wolves,” Stark recalled.
“He was still only 21, but by then I had known him for years because he had been with us at Under- 21 level, and had played for Livingston from a young age.
“The thing that always stood out about him was how good a finisher he was. When he got a chance in the box, he was just lethal.
“I remember him playing for us in an Under- 21 match where he cut in from the left, and unleashed this great shot on the angle that went flying into the net.
“The quality of his technique was of a different level.
“So when I got the chance to get him involved with Scotland, I was always going to take it.
“Funnily enough, he had to wait his time a little because I started another debutant, Andrew Shinnie, who was going great guns with Inverness at the time, and then switched him for Leigh during the second-half.
“With respect to Andrew, it is Leigh who has really kicked on with Scotland, and there have been a few times over the years when I have had occasion to think: ‘Oh, I gave him his debut way back’.
“He is older now, of course, but that finishing ability has never left him.”
As Stark concedes, the situations are a little different between then and now, with Clarke eyeing what would be a remarkable second successive qualification for a major tournament.
“The Luxembourg game was a friendly, and it was at the stage of the season where clubs were not overly enthusiastic to have their players travel,” he recalled.
“So that was an encouragement to try new players and new things out.
“These games are a forerunner for our appearance in the Euro Finals in the summer, but they are also another opportunity to achieve something special.
“I am sure Steve will have his own thoughts as to exactly how he wants to handle things.
“Whatever way he goes, it will be brilliant to see the boys back in action again, and a great reminder of the excitement to come later in the year.”