I Want Jamie To Do A U-Turn

Jan 13 2008 By Mark Guidi

BILLY STARK will this week try to persuade Jamie McCarthy to quit the Republic of Ireland and pledge his international future to Scotland.

The new Under-21 boss is an admirer of the Hamilton superkid's talents and the fact McCarthy has yet to play a competitive game for Ireland means he can switch allegiance to his birth country.

The midfielder opted for Ireland just over a year ago but only because nobody from the SFA selected him for Scotland.

He would have chosen this country had he been picked for a squad.

Now Stark is set to test the 17-year-old's loyalty and said: "We want to have as many good players as possible on board.

"It's disappointing for Scotland to lose Aiden McGeady and McCarthy.

"I'm pretty sure Aiden had his heart set on playing for Republic of Ireland. He has been capped at full level and there is nothing we can do about his situation. But there is a chance of doing something about McCarthy and I will try to find out the circumstances.

"Part of my job is to see if we can change his mind. McCarthy is a talent and has such good ability.

"But many lads have looked like world beaters at 15 and 16 yet did not progress.

"We have to make sure they have a chance to become international players."

McCarthy is rated at around £800,000 by Accies and is being monitored by Celtic, Chelsea, Liverpool and Reading.

However, regardless of the outcome with the midfielder Stark is looking forward to working with his new squad and will take them to a training camp in Portugal at the start of next month for a get-together.

He said: "I'm looking on this as a big, prestigious job. There's a healthy contingent of players to choose from and we have a chance competitively. It's important to try to continue the progression and if the full side are doing well then it filters down as was the case with the great victories against France in the last qualification campaign.

"There's a healthy percentage of the Under-21 side playing first-team football in the SPL and that can only be a good thing.

"But they need to be able to win games at Under-21 level. If they are losing every match they will be short of confidence and find it difficult to develop.

"We're not saying we are world beaters but we will compete and hope to produce players like James McFadden who graduated to become a full internationalist .

"That has to be the aim of every lad at Under-21 and youth level.

"I will try to create a club atmosphere so they feel welcome and comfortable.

"We want them to be in good spirits so they can give their best on the park. I will analyse things over the coming weeks to see if any improvements can be made. This a job I'm happy to be in and I'll give it my best."

Stark has no thoughts of success at this level leading to a top club post.

He said: "I never look too far ahead as it's impossible to plan a career path.

"I go into a job as a total football guy, not with an eye on ending up elsewhere."

Stark was never capped at full level but had a fine club career at St Mirren, Aberdeen and Celtic.

Dons sold him to the Hoops for £100,000 in 1987 and Stark smiled: "Sir Alex Ferguson had left the club the previous year and I know he wouldn't have sold me for £100,000!

"I keep in touch with him but don't phone too often as he's a busy man."