The Celtic lessons from the end of Tommy Burns' unbeaten streak as Ange reaction earns acclaim

Billy Stark knows better than most about a winning run coming to an abrupt halt at Celtic. Ange Postecoglou ’s 364-day domestic unbeaten streak was finally ended by St Mirren last weekend in Paisley.

It made former Hoops assistant and caretaker manager Stark recall his own blot in the copybook alongside Tommy Burns back in December 1996. No team other than champions Rangers had beaten Celtic for over a year but that was brought to a shuddering halt by Motherwell. To make the scenario worse, the Steelmen had to finish the game with midfielder Jamie Dolan in goal.

Scotland Under-19s coach Stark recalls how the 2-1 loss triggered criticism and hysteria and he believes it’s an example of no-half measures in football. He said: “I remember sitting in the dugout with Tam when we lost that game at Motherwell after going so long without a defeat. It was as though the world had caved in.

“When you are building a winning run like that and it comes to an end it’s amazing how quickly people lose perspective. That’s why I was pleased to see Postecoglou wasn’t too flustered about losing at St Mirren.

“He knows that all runs have to come to an end, that’s part of football. It’s inevitable but you keep it going for as long as you can.

“Ange will keep things calm as that’s his way. I watched the St Mirren game and it was a classic example of a team coming off the back of a European game and a manager opting to change personnel.

“It’s only when the result goes against you does it become clear it was the wrong thing to do. That’s the easy part for people to evaluate, it’s always easier after the event.

“There’s an argument to be made about the issues around wanting to freshen up the team after Europe as you can drop points just as