Paul McStay - The Maestro

Happy Birthday Maestro!

 

It was on this day in 1964 that Paul McStay first saw light of day when he was born into a family already steeped in Celtic history.

So today, October 22, 2021, the man who was one of only four non-Lisbon Lions to make the Greatest Celtic Team of all time, celebrates his 57th birthday.

To mark the occasion, here we take a short look at his career.

DEBUT BHOY
Celtic faced Queen of the South in the third round of the Scottish Cup on January 23, 1982, and it was the first time that Paul McStay’s name appeared on a Celtic team-sheet, the teenager making his debut alongside another young Celt, John Halpin. A crowd of 24,000 watched the match, with Celtic winning 4-0. This milestone day in Celtic’s history, with the debut of a player who would go on to become a club legend, was also notable for a rare Danny McGrain goal. The defender scored one of Celtic’s four goals, alongside, Frank McGarvey, George McCluskey and John Halpin, who marked his debut in spectacular style, completing the scoring with five minutes of the match remaining. McStay only had to wait a further week before he scored the first of his 72 goals for the club when he netted at Pittodrie in an impressive 3-1 victory for the Hoops, receiving the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box before wriggling past two Aberdeen defenders and lashing the ball in with his left foot.





CAPTAIN’S CALL
Between 1982 and 1997, Paul made 678 appearances for his beloved Celtic. A one-club man, Paul seemed destined to play for the Hoops from an early age and retired as the esteemed captain of Celtic. In total, Paul won eight trophies for Celtic – three league titles, four Scottish Cups and one League Cup. Highlights include the last-day league triumph in 1986, the centenary season double and the Scottish Cup win in 1995 under Tommy Burns, which allowed him to win a trophy as Celtic captain. That game against Airdrie wasn’t a classic but Paul was the happiest man inside Hampden when he climbed the steps to lift the trophy.




FAMILY CLUB
There are a number of McStay family members who have played for the Celtic first-team. In chronological order, they are Willie McStay (1912-29), Jimmy McStay (1920-34), Willie McStay Jnr (1977-87) and Paul McStay (1981-97). In addition to that, Raymond McStay, the younger brother of Paul and Willie Jnr, played for the reserves during the 1990s and captained the side, without ever playing for the first-team. Willie remains at Celtic to this day, as Head of Academy Scouting




A PLACE AMONG EQUALS
In 2002, Celtic fans were asked to choose the best 11 players to ever play for the club. Naturally, the Lisbon Lions dominated the line-up but there was space left for a select few and it was no surprise that Paul McStay featured. With Ronnie Simpson, Tommy Gemmell, Billy McNeill, Bobby Murdoch, Bertie Auld, Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox all chosen, there were four places up for grabs. Danny McGrain was given the nod at right-back, while Henrik Larsson and Kenny Dalglish were chosen to lead the attack. It left one place in central midfield and Paul was the man chosen by the fans – a proud moment for the Celtic great.








THE BENCHMARK
For a man who spent the best part of two decades gracing the Hoops, you would imagine that Paul McStay would have racked up a fair number of substitute appearances. This isn’t a slight on his ability, just that when you play with one club for over 15 years, it’s natural that you find yourself on the bench from time to time, especially when you first break into the team or have a spell on the sidelines injured. Yet, McStay wasn’t your average player. When fit, half-fit or even quarter-fit, Paul played. During his Celtic career, he made a total of only six substitute appearances.

ON THE MOVE
It’s almost unheard of nowadays but Paul McStay spent his entire career at Celtic. During his time in Glasgow he became one of the most capped players in Celtic’s history, earning 76 over 14 years. He represented Scotland in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups and won the only major SFA trophy to date when he captained the U18s to UEFA European Championship glory. Since leaving Celtic, he has been named in the club’s Greatest Ever Team as well as the Scotland Hall of Fame. And his legacy lives on amongst the Celtic faithful as he is celebrated in The Willie Maley Song along with other Hoops legends. He is also responsible for one of the club’s most famous quotes, “Celtic Football Club is the fans, without them there is no club.”

 

McStay and Larsson are the only two that would've got into the Lions starting 11.

 

Kenny Dalgleish

 

and Danny McGrain

 

Nah just McStay and Larsson in my opinion.

 

TBH, that 'vote' was always an odd one. In reality how could Jimmy McGrory or Charlie Shaw - and maybe one or two others - not been included if you were genuinely looking for 'the greatest of all time'?

But people voting naturally gravitated to those who'd they'd seen, or grew up admiring and the resulting 'team' selected reflected that. With the greatest of respect, and just using Ronnie Simpson as an example, while he was a good keeper, if he had not been part of a European Cup winning side, would he really be remembered and named as the greatest 'keeper in the club's history?

 

Right well no meaning to diminsh your opinion. Cause everyone is entitled to one. But I would say that Kenny Dalgliesh and Danny McGrain and yes Henirk Larsson and Paul Mcstay are 4 of the finest players to play the game......never even mind playing for Celtic. Now its just my opinion and I actually understand where you are coming from now when I think about it.

So........it should be an interesting debate........right back in the lions........Jim Craig........was Danny McGrain better than him???? Its in an interesting one.......me personally I would say he was......but thats just my opinion and to be fair I wasnt even alive to see Jim Craig play so it wouldnt be fair......but I did see Danny play and he was * awesome

Kenny Dalgliesh I believe would get in anybody's team ever and if he didnt then they dont know football

But I see what your saying mate. Its difficult to drop anyone from the Lions team at all. But if we were looking on it statistically then Jimmy McGrory would be in the team........ RIP * Bless the man....Royston Road Garngad No.1

 

I just wouldn't go dropping many of the Lions.

 

Happy birthday Maestro. My favourite player as a kid, felt sorry for him during our 6 year barren spell, must have weighed heavy on him

 

Same... although was a lot longer than 6 years, that 1995 Scottish Cup aside.

 

Happy birthday Paul you legend.

 

Aye I think another couple of years before the league cup win in 97

 

Absolute baller, one of the best players I ever saw in the hoops, total total legend of a player.

He stayed with us when there was so much more for him to give in football, as said above felt sorry for him during that time, but was glorious with the Airdrie final seeing him and Tommy celebrate.

 

1997/98, the same season as 'stop the 10'. It's a shame McStay couldn't be part of that campaign, but his knees were fxcked by then.

 

Totally agree. He was a shining light during some pretty grim days in the early to mid 90's.

 

He coulda played for any of the top clubs.