Stark similarities between Hartley and midfield mentor

BILLY Stark not only had a profound influence in the development of Paul Hartley but was a forerunner in joining Celtic at an advanced stage of his career.

It was Stark who converted Hartley from an enigmatic winger into a goalscoring midfielder at St Johnstone and Stark who, like Hartley yesterday, signed for Celtic aged 30, after rising to prominence at Aberdeen. "I think people are as fed-up as me by now about converting Paul to central midfield but there are similarities in the way we ended up at Celtic," he said.

Yesterday, as the Queen's Park manager enjoyed a relaxed transfer deadline day behind his desk, he considered Hartley's arrival at Parkhead in a £1.1m transfer from Hearts as the ideal tonic for a club who lost out on Kevin Thomson to Rangers and who were resigned to selling Shaun Maloney to Aston Villa.

"Paul has extensive Premierleague experience and it was a no brainer if you ask me. It is obviously a bonus for Celtic after the disappointment of losing Maloney and Thomson and, while he is ineligible for the Champions League, he can play in the Scottish Cup," said Stark.

"I would not say he was a late developer, that would be unfair because he was always a good footballer. He is the kind of player who developed a niche later in his career. Like me, he moved to a big club in his mid-20s. Aberdeen had just won the European Cup- Winners' Cup when I joined, so were expected to win things. Hearts were the third force when Paul signed but the expectations rose, albeit briefly, when Vladimir Romanov took over and he has experienced the positives and negatives of that regime."

The Hearts owner spent this week cultivating interest in Hartley and Craig Gordon to raise much-needed funds. Hearts' loss will be Celtic's gain despite Rangers' efforts and Stark is convinced that Hartley will enhance an already handsomely appointed midfield.

"He has deserved his opportunity and has shown with the national team he can play at the highest level," insisted Stark. "At 30, while you can never consider yourself an automatic choice, you are there because you are needed and wanted. I'm sure Paul will fit in."

Where, exactly, is Strachan's dilemma. Shunsuke Nakamura is untouchable on the right side of the midfield quartet, Thomas Gravesen, at £40,000-per-week, is too costly to leave out for any length of time, Neil Lennon continues to operate flawlessly, Jiri Jarosik's elegance has been occasionally effective, while Aiden McGeady and Derek Riordan will contest the left side post-Maloney.

Stark was signed by Billy McNeill to offset the departures of Murdo MacLeod, Brian McClair, Mo Johnston and Alan McInally and as Celtic continue the search for a regular goalscoring accomplice to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, he has no doubt Hartley will be a regular contributor.

"Paul's situation is different from Derek Riordan, who was signed during the summer with the future in mind. In my time, Celtic lost a lot of experienced players. I wasn't signed for the future and neither is Paul," the Queen's Park manager said.

"Thomas Gravesen has a great pedigree, Celtic pushed the boat out to get him and his goalscoring record is impressive but the general perception among fans and the media is that he has not set the heather alight. Paul is a terrific player who will do very well."

By DARRYL BROADFOOT, Chief Football Writer

Taken from the Herald