Tommy Wilson has known Steve Clarke since day one and reckons his incredible journey may never be matched. From Beith Juniors to winning at a World Cup as Scotland manager, there's been plenty of talk about the journey some of Steve Clarke's players have been on to get here. But the manager's remarkable route might be the most impressive of all, writes Scott McDermott in the USA.
The Early Days at St Mirren
Tommy Wilson, now technical director at MLS outfit Charlotte FC, was a young player alongside Clarke at St Mirren in the early 80s. Both competed for the right-back slot at Love Street but ended up sharing full-back duties on both sides of the pitch. A friendship was built in Paisley and has lasted for the best part of 45 years. Wilson played a huge part in helping to secure Charlotte's facilities for Clarke and his squad at the World Cup.
A Historic Win
The manager created history on Saturday night in Boston when his team recorded Scotland's first win at the tournament since 1990 - and his first as gaffer at a major finals. Wilson was delighted to see his old pal pick up three points against Haiti to put the Scots top of Group C. He says Clarke's story, from Junior football in Ayrshire to the greatest show on earth, might never be surpassed in our game.
Wilson recalled: "We first met when I arrived at Love Street from Queen's Park and Stevie signed from Beith Juniors. At the time, it seemed unrealistic to think we were both going to start because St Mirren were a top four or five Premiership side. They were qualifying for Europe and had some really great players. But before long the pair of us were starting and we pretty much played every game under Ricky McFarlane in our first season. We were both right-backs, but Stevie could play on the left as well, so he was switched across. Ricky had so much trust in us."
The Silent Assassin
Wilson added: "Because he'd come from the juniors, some of the older boys weren't quite sure of Stevie, but he was just a natural, straight in and totally accepted. He was quiet back then, unassuming. You didn't hear a lot from him, he just got on with it, did his job. It's interesting to see that he's just the same now as an international manager. There's been no dramatic change from the guy I remember way back then. He always had the steely determination people see in him today. Basically, he was always going to succeed. On the park, he was a bit of a silent assassin. Even though he'd jumped overnight from the juniors to the top end of the Premiership, no one ever bullied him on or off the park. That seems unrealistic when you think of it now, but that's how it was with him."
A Remarkable Career
Clarke left St Mirren in 1987, just before they embarked on an incredible Scottish Cup run which led to Wilson and Co lifting the trophy at Hampden after beating Dundee United. He joined English big guns Chelsea where he won an FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winner's Cup before getting into coaching. Having witnessed his steely determination as a young player in Paisley, Wilson isn't surprised at what he's gone on to achieve.
Wilson said: "We were a really good group at St Mirren. We made it to Europe together and played in three Scottish Cup semi-finals. Me and Stevie went from strength to strength. It wasn't a surprise to see Frank McAvennie leaving us for West Ham, the same goes for Billy Stark and Frank McDougall going to Aberdeen. And it certainly wasn't a shock when Chelsea came in for Steve at the start of 1987. He left right before the start of our Scottish Cup-winning run and I always wondered if he missed being part of that. We'd suffered so much disappointment in those semi-finals so it would have been great if he'd been to Hampden with us. But he couldn't say no to Chelsea. And I'm sure his bank account would attest to the fact that he did the right thing."
Wilson continued: "Even though Chelsea weren't the force they are now, it was a great move for him and the start of an amazing career down south. He played 400-odd games for them, won the FA Cup and a European trophy, then when he became a coach he worked with Jose Mourinho, Kenny Dalglish, Bobby Robson, Ruud Gullit and more. He has a good record as manager with the likes of West Brom and Reading. Then he did amazing work with Kilmarnock and hasn't looked back since he took over the national team."
Team Spirit and Preparation
As Clarke's Scotland team proved at the Boston Stadium on Saturday night, one of the things he's an expert at is fostering a togetherness in a group of players. A goal up against Haiti, it would have been easy for his side to buckle under pressure, concede an equaliser and have to deal with the fall-out of being on the receiving end of a World Cup shock. But they were resilient in securing the victory and Wilson says that's something a Clarke team will always have. Now, the Scots are back in Charlotte at base-camp and the club's technical director hopes it's the perfect place for Clarke and his players to prepare for Friday's clash with Morocco.
Wilson concluded: "If you can get a synergy in your team and make players see that sometimes one plus one equals three - then you could have something. You don't necessarily just put your best eleven on the pitch, you put your best team out. Stevie's always done that. That's part of his strength, he's got a core who've been with him for a long time. He's got people he can rely on, a lot of players playing in the top leagues and we've got some young talent. In Charlotte, you're away from all the noise. Steve's always struck me as somebody who doesn't want to be surrounded by chatter and noise. Back in the day, we were two of the quieter ones in the St Mirren changing room. That was a really good upbringing for both of us."
