Colin Stein’s nemesis had to retire at the age of 23
St Mirren fans would dearly love their team to come back from the international break and produce a victory.
The Saints have failed to win in 12 attempts since beating Dundee on the opening day of the season.
It’s so different from the status the newly-promoted Buddies were enjoying 50 years ago this weekend.
They were the only unbeaten team in Britain. That proud record was expected to end with the visit of Rangers, and their new free-scoring centre-forward.
Colin Stein had hit eight goals, including two hat-tricks, in his first three games for the Light Blues. But his hot streak was brought to an abrupt halt at Love Street as St Mirren ran out 1-0 winners.
The man credited with putting the shackles on Stein was Paisley-born centre-half, Andy Mcfadden.
He was only 19-years-old, but played with a maturity beyond his tender years.
Looking back, Andy is quick to give a lot of the credit to veteran team-mate, Willie Fulton.
He said: “I played one game in the top flight for St Mirren when I was only 16.
“We were then relegated and Willie joined us as we won promotion from the Second Division.
“I only missed one game that season, and it was the only defeat.
“I still keep ribbing the boys, saying they were no use without me. But Willie was such an influence on me. He would sit me down before games and talk to me about the opposition strikers.
“He told me not to worry if one got past me because he’d be waiting for them.
“A few years later, he told me that I’d helped give him a few extra seasons on his career.”
Although Stein arrived at Love Street in a blaze of glory, Andy wasn’t fazed by facing Scotland’s man of the moment.
He said: “I played against England’s Johnny Haynes when I was 18, and then faced Wolves’ striker Derek Dougan in a game at Molineux. “He was a big, tough opponent and called me all the names of the day. After that experience, I was ready for anything.
“I had a good game against Stein that day, but I think I produced better performances. I faced him five or six times and he never got a goal.
“The Rangers boys said I was the defender he could never get the better of.
“We won the game, thanks to a great team performance. Denis Connachan made a lot of great saves, and Hugh Gilshan came up with the winning goal.
“The chairman came into the dressing room before kick-off and told us there’d be an extra pound each for every 1000 fans over 20,000. “An attendance of 43,000 meant a very welcome bonus. People forget that we were all part-time players.
“In fact, I was an apprentice joiner and missed seeing the Rangers game on Scotsport the next day because I had to go to work.” St Mirren’s unbeaten run came to an end against Aberdeen the next weekend and they finished eleventh after a rollercoaster season. Andy continued to be a mainstay of the side until injury struck a couple of years later.
He said: “We were having a kick-about after training when I fell and dislocated both shoulders. It kept me out for three months but I was told I wouldn’t need an operation.
“I started playing again but a shoulder would pop out nearly every time I fell.
“After I left St Mirren, Alec Wright, my old manager, was assistant at Dumbarton and persuaded me to go there to see if I could get fit. “But I was playing in a reserve match when my shoulder came out again.
“I knew then it was no use. I was only 23, but I had a family to provide for and I couldn’t afford long periods off work.
“Although retiring so early was disappointing, I was delighted to have played for my hometown team, and proud to be in the club’s Hall of Fame.
“I’m still a St Mirren diehard.”