Stars of the 90s: No 12, Sergei Baltacha

Published on 30/11/2012 01:08

AFTER making close to 250 appearances for Dynamo Kiev, the Ukrainian defender had a spell at Ipswich Town, where he became the first Soviet Union international to play in the Football League, before moving to St Johnstone.

He spent three years with the Perth club, making just under 100 appearances, before having a short spell as manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The highlight of his career was winning the European Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1986 with Dynamo Kiev. He also played in the World Cup Finals in 1982, two years after winning a bronze medal in the Olympics. He won a total of 45 full caps for the Soviet Union.

His son, also Sergei, played for St Mirren and was capped for Scotland Under-21s, while daughter Elena has made her mark as one of Britain’s top tennis players.