Andy: Battling Billy was true hero

May 18 2009 Paisley Daily Express

BATTERED and bruised Buddie Billy Mehmet was hailed by Andy Millen for the way he led the line at Falkirk.

The Saints forward scored the first goal, then followed up in a fine afternoon by supplying the pass for Andy Dorman to put a seal on a crucial 2-0 SPL victory.

But the big forward sustained a badly injured cheekbone after he was involved in a collision with Falkirk’s Steven Pressley with two minutes to go.

Pressley was red carded for the offence by match referee Chris Boyle and injured Mehmet had to end his game prematurely, being replaced by Dennis Wyness for the last couple of minutes.

However, Saints number two Millen thought Mehmet was a real hero on Saturday.

He said: “I thought Billy Mehmet was incredible. He played the game like a man, the way he’s capable of doing. He gave two international players a tough day and he was fantastic. And Dorman played well round about him too.

“They were all exceptional but especially Billy, because he led the line properly.”

Millen reckons Mehmet’s weekend war wound is just part and parcel of the rough and tumble in professional football.

He added: “At the end of the day that’s what strikers are there for. He’s got to put his head in the right place and unfortunately he got a bang but that's the way football is.”