CLARKIES MEMORIES

He was the last Scot to score in a European final, but Dundee United legend John Clark believes he is best remembered for the goal that helped knock Barcelona out during the great UEFA Cup run of 20 years ago (writes Tom Duthie).
“Clarkie’s” header in the Nou Camp edged United back in front in the quarter-final tie, while another from Iain Ferguson in the last minute sealed a famous victory.
The big man would go on to equalise at Tannadice in the 1987 final against IFK Gothenburg, but his Spanish memories are fonder and, he feels, shared by more fans.

“I think most Dundee United fans won’t have forgotten that I also got our goal in the final, but the one other supporters across the country remember is always against Barcelona,” he said.

“For me, that one’s the highlight because it was in the Nou Camp in a game we won. I won’t forget the feeling — at the end of the Gothenburg game there was disappointment.”

Along with a dozen or so other members of the ’87 squad, and three survivors of the side that beat Barca home and away in the Fairs Cup in 1966, skipper Jimmy Briggs, Doug Smith and Billy Hainey, he’ll take a bow at half-time tonight.

A huge presence on the pitch and who played the game with a smile, John admits being thrust into the limelight is the one aspect of his first match day return to Tannadice in over a decade he has reservations over.

“I did pop in once a few years ago when I was in Dundee on business to see how the stadium was looking, but my last game there was when I was in the Dunfermline squad in the mid-90s,” he added.

“It will be nice to see all the old boys again, but I was never one for the publicity side, so the half-time thing is not really my cup of tea. I’m happy to do it because it should be nice for the United fans to see us all again and remember good times.”

Up against stars like Ronaldinho, Henry and Eto’o, not much is expected of the current crop of Tangerines, but he had words of encouragement.

“People talk about the gulf between teams like Barcelona and United and there is no denying it’s huge. Back in our time it was as well and they had players like Gary Lineker, who was probably the best centre-forward in the world — the season before he finished top scorer in the World Cup.

“They were a good side and, although we won the first leg1-0, I remember a lot of us thought it would not be enough going over to Spain. Then they scored at half-time. Apart from their goal, they did not have many chances.

“We played well. To this day, people talk about their fans waving white hankies because we won. The way I remember it, the hankies were out even before my equaliser because they knew we had them.”

That said, he is making no rash predictions about United’s attempt to make it five wins in a row against the world’s biggest club.

“It seems they are working very hard and will take the game seriously. I know they have to play their first team and I’m told they asked for assurances it will be United’s strongest team as well because they want a decent test.

“That says everything about their approach. Things like that are why these clubs are so successful and I just hope the United boys remember this is an important part of their pre-season as well and don’t just sit back and watch the big stars play.”