SANDY CLARK insists he doesn’t do conspiracy theories. But the former Hearts striker is adamant the circumstances that saw Celtic snatch the Premier Division title in 1986 on goal difference still don’t add up. As the Tynecastle hero turns the clock back in his mind he refuses to forget the events on May 3, 26 years ago. Just two points clear but with a four goal advantage on the Hoops going into the last day of the season the Jambos had laid the groundwork for one of the most enduring afternoons of drama in Scottish football’s history. The record books show Hearts crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Dundee after sub Albert Kidd’s legendary late double while Celtic romped to a 5-0 win against St Mirren in Paisley. But Clark has pointed the finger at Saints players for surrendering to the Parkhead side through a lack of professionalism. (what a ****ing nerve he has) He said: “It’s my belief, and I know a lot of people (Paranoid Hearts fans?) who feel the same way, that the collective team effort from the St Mirren team could have been a lot better that day. (What a joke) “I have spoken to one of St Mirren’s players from that day. I know he gave it his all but he confirmed to me there were some of his team mates who had not exactly been good professionals that day.(Was it Iain Ferguson by any chance?) “They were happy to see Celtic win the league. (an unbelievable statement) I’m not saying anyone went out to throw the game (That's exactly what you are saying though) but when the news filtered through Dundee were winning I think there was less and less resistance in certain areas of the pitch. “I suppose the St Mirren players are the only ones who can really tell us what went on at Love Street that afternoon. (Yet here you are speculating on it) “I didn’t look at the goals from the Celtic game for a long time after it. It was a painful one. Too painful.” (Good) Clark knows his criticism will come under the “sore loser” category but he feels compelled to put his view on record. He said: “I know it will sound like sour grapes but that is the way I feel, although I accept you can’t take anything away from what was a very good Celtic team. They had some brilliant players, in Danny McGrain, Brian McClair and Mo Johnston, even though we had a good record against them over the course of that season. “We pushed them all the way and, in the end, it just wasn’t to be. “We had one final game at Dens Park against Dundee and we knew that if we avoided defeat there then we would be champions. The odds were firmly stacked in our favour.” It’s a long-held belief of many Jambos that the SFA’s decision to appoint well- known Hearts fan and referee Bill Crombie as match official at Dens Park was another huge factor which sealed their fate – as he feared being labelled biased by giving his club decisions. Crombie was to wave away a strong penalty claim in the game after Clark was tripped by Colin Hendry and the striker insists there was a conflict of interest which added insult to injury. He said: “I also believe the football authorities made an absolute mess of things by appointing Bill to our game. “Everyone knew Bill was a Hearts fan. It put enormous pressure on him and it was all so unnecessary. “I can’t speak for Bill but it certainly looked like he was uncomfortable refereeing that Dens Park clash. “The last thing he would have wanted was to be accused of favouritism towards Hearts. In that penalty call he went too far the other way “I got a feeling it wasn’t going to be our day. It all stemmed from the infamous penalty that never was after Colin Hendry brought me down. It came from a throw-in down our left. “I turned Colin on the goalline and he stuck his thigh out and knocked me over. It was a stonewall penalty. “If Bill had done his job right that day and given the correct decision then I believe Hearts would have won the league. “I have met Bill on several occasions since but I have never been able to ask him why he never gave us that penalty. It still hurts so much. “I don’t really need to ask him because I know it should have been a penalty. “It was such a momentous decision and one that I, Bill and every Hearts fan will have to live with for the rest of our lives.”
This has made the news in Paisley as well. Tony Fitzpatrick is quoted in the local paper saying "There's no way any player I played beside at St Mirren gave anything other than 100 per cent for the jersey. What Sandy is saying is a disgrace. Hearts only had to avoid defeat but they bottled it." Don't know if any of you remember the game - at about 3-0, Billy Abercrombie missed a sitter from about three yards out - "Crumbs" was, apparently, a proper Rangers man so the conspiracy talk changed from "he's a Tim" to "they took payments" once this was asserted. The SFA appointed an openly Hearts supporting ref for the game and now ex-Hearts players are saying this was bias against them Albert Kidd CSC
Why is that no brain Clarke complaining now about that game. If Hearts were so good why hadn't they won two or three titles round about then. I have never heard any player complaining that the referee favoured his team and couldn't give him a penalty. Sandy allow me to tell you the history of Celtic is littered by referees not giving us penalties or giving the opposition penalties when none should have been awarded. I have to say they were always given by referees who hated Celtic or had alove for Bills ex team.
âIt was such a momentous decision and one that I, Bill and every Hearts fan will have to live with for the rest of our lives.â So the ref and every middle-aged Heart's fan can't sleep at night because of this ... More likely just a case of Clark being a bitter dickhead.
We played Hearts early the following season , in the match programme , Hearts team list had Albert Kidd in their team , instead of Walter Kidd
Is that what you were looking for Nev? Celtic striker Chris Sutton has finally offered a personal apology to Dunfermline following his outburst after the 4-0 win at Kilmarnock last weekend. The former Chelsea and Blackburn forward was also 'dismissed' twice by referee Kenny Clark for abusive language following the game and has received a four-game ban after crashing through the 18-point disciplinary threshold for the second time this season. Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston and manager Jimmy Calderwood were incensed by Sutton's accusation the team "lay down" to allow Rangers to win 6-1 and clinch the Bank of Scotland Premier League trophy last Sunday on goal difference. Sutton apologised through his agent, John Viola, during the week but that was not satisfactory for the Fife club. But now the Parkhead forward has offered a personal apology through the official Celtic website, citing the emotion of losing the title and the UEFA Cup within four days as the reason for his outburst. Sutton told www.celticfc.net: "I had made it clear on Monday the circumstances in which my comments were made and that I regretted any offence which these comments may have caused. "I would like to reiterate that I apologise sincerely to Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, the players, management team and supporters for any offence which my comments may have caused. "As everyone will know, these comments were made in the immediate aftermath of us losing the title and at the end of an extremely disappointing week. "I have great respect for the Dunfermline players as fellow professionals and I hope that they will accept this apology in the manner in which it is offered."
Chris Sutton's emotional outburst occurred in the immediate aftermath of losing the title and he was quick to apologize ... no way comparable to Clark's bitter outpourings some 26 years later. Imagine, 100,000 sperm and Clark was the fastest? One really has to wonder.
Chris Sutton was spot on with his comments , Jimmy Calderwood tactics that day were a disgrace , all to keep his hun of a father happy .They only committed 13 fouls meanwhile Killie hit us with 30 fouls including breaking Maloney's leg .Remember that day sfa insisted both games would kick off at the same time , Rangers had scored before we kicked off !!!
