My old pals will be back up to Pars

Sep 21 2008

WHEN Billy Mehmet played for Dunfermline they were flying high in the SPL and getting to the Scottish Cup Final.

Now they're sitting mid-table in the First Division and struggling to get out.

The big St Mirren striker can't believe how far the Pars have fallen since their heady days under Jimmy Calderwood.

But he's adamant with experienced professionals such as Scott Thomson, Greg Shields and Scott Wilson, they can return to the SPL soon.

As he prepared for his side's Co-operative Insurance Cup showdown against his former club on Tuesday, Billy said: "This will be my first game back at East End Park since I left. The first season I was there we finished fourth in the SPL and got to the Scottish Cup Final.

"I still have friends there. I keep in touch with Nipper, Wilson and Greg.

They're all SPL players and won't want to stay in the First Division long."

Mehmet, who bagged a hat-trick in his side's 7-0 trouncing of Dumbarton in the previous round, would love to reach the final with Gus MacPherson's outfit.

He added: "Getting to Hampden with Dunfermline was a great memory and it would be nice to do it with St Mirren."

Pars defender Shields feels they still have enough SPL-standard players to knock St Mirren out.

Shields is trying to get the Fife club back where they belong in Scotland's top flight and reckons they aren't miles behind the Buddies in terms of class.

He said: "We have a lot of players who could still be playing SPL football.

"We don't have the strength in depth that St Mirren have but that's the only difference between us. We feel we are capable of winning a cup-tie like this."