CAPTAIN RECALLS MEMORABLE EURO NIGHT

Today is the 10th anniversary of one of the most memorable games in St Johnstone’s history.

On the 16th September 1999, Saints took to the field in a UEFA Cup first round match against AS Monaco.

We had overcome Finnish side VPS Vaasa in a preliminary round tie and so Sandy Clark’s players lined up against names such as Fabien Barthez, David Trezeguet, Willy Sagnol, Marco Simone and John Arne Riise (a second half substitute) in the Stade Louis II Stadium.

Saints more than held their own for over two thirds of the game but succumbed to late goals from Simone (69 minutes), Trezeguet (72) and Simone again (89) which effectively ended the tie. However, the return leg in Perth proved to be an unforgettable match which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Captain that night for that first leg in the principality of Monaco was Jim Weir and he spoke to the Saints Official Website yesterday about his memories of that game.

“It was an uunbelievable experience” says Jim. We were staying in this extravagant hotel right above the hairpin bend that you see on the television coverage of the Monaco Grand Prix and it was just incredible to get a glimpse of that lifestyle and be part of it for a day or so and I know the fans who made the trip felt the same way.”

Jim continued, “Neither Roddy (Grant) or I could sleep the night before the game so we went for a wander late at night and ended up in the big square where the Saints fans had gathered and we just watched from a distance and got a taste of the atmosphere they had brought to the place.

“The journey to the game in the bus was one I will never forget. The coach slowed down at the area where all the Saints support had gathered ahead of the match and the reception they gave us was incredible. All the players just wanted to get off the bus and be part of it and for me to be the captain of the side that was involved in that occasion made me so proud. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up thinking about it even now, ten years on.”

As far as the game itself is concerned, Jim remains frustrated at the outcome.

“We did really well for long periods of the game and it looked like we were going to run them close. Alan Main in particular had a world class match.

“But they had such quality in their side that it eventually told and we lost the three late goals, the last of which was in the very last minute and that kind of killed the tie. 2-0 might have made it interesting in Perth.”

“We had chances in that first leg – I remember Miguel Simao was through on the keeper and Gary Bollan had a header from about eight yards. Just wee chances that we could have converted but then they had the players to punish you – one mistake and it was in the back of our net.”

Jim recalls the period after the game when the players were cooling down in an almost deserted stadium and the few remaining Saints fans cheering the players as went through their routine.

“The stadium was in semi-darkness by that time and I can recall fans shouting to us including what must have been friends of mine from Hamilton as they called me “Jamesy” – something nobody in Perth ever did – but I couldn’t distinguish who it was.”

“Overall, it was a night I will never forget and I was very proud to be part of.”

The teams that memorable night in Monaco were:

Monaco: Barthez, Marquez, Christanval, Lamouchi (Riise 57), Giuly (N'Diaye 83), Trezeguet, Gallardo, Simone, Leonard (Legwinski 84), Da Costa, Sagnol. Subs Not Used: Eloi, Sarnerud, Irles, Sylva.

St Johnstone: Main, McQuillan, Bollan, McAnespie, Weir, Griffin, Simao (McCluskey 78), O'Neil, Thomas (Lowndes 63), O'Halloran, Kane.

Att: 7,000

PHOTO: Saints couldn't find the net in the away tie in Monaco but they did in the return leg at McDiarmid Park - three times in a tremendous 3-3 draw.

Bruno Irles, John Arne Riise, Sylvain Legwinski and Philipe Leonard can only look on as Nick Dasovic (no 4) wheels away after scoring.