Celtic legend Paul McStay: the best Scottish players of the 1990s

It takes a special kind of player to have his name sung almost 25 years after he last kicked a ball for his club.

But every week Celtic fans sing: “And they gave us James McGrory and Paul McStay”.

None of them will have seen McGrory play but most remember McStay and do so with a mixture of pride and gratitude.

Pride in that one of their own came off the terraces to become a Celtic great and gratitude that he remained with the club throughout his career when he had opportunities to leave for some of the top names in Europe.

Make no mistake, Inter Milan and Juventus were among the clubs who fancied McStay’s mastery in midfield and the graceful elegance with which he glided across the turf, head up, chest out and ball at his feet, would have been perfectly suited to Serie A.

Team-mate Pat Bonner, Celtic’s goalkeeper at the time, admits he watched with wonder as McStay welded hard work to his natural ability. Day in, day out, setting examples to those around him.

The former Republic of Ireland international said: “Paul had an incredible ability to take the ball in tight positions. He had exercises he’d do in training taking three or four young reserves out onto the training pitch and making a circle.

“They’d play balls into him. He’d pop one straight back, let another run through him and play it. Play the next one around the corner. Then he’d ask to be marked and step away.

“Tommy used to say to the boys just give it to Paul as he always knew where everyone was.”

The early ’90s was a time when Celtic were in turmoil financially off the pitch, while on it they couldn’t lay a finger on Rangers, who were hoovering up trophies and titles on an annual basis.

The easy option for McStay would have been to go and recapture some of the success he’d enjoyed at the end of the ’80s when Celtic won three titles and the double in 1988.

But the Scotland star – he amassed 76 caps and played at two World Cups – simply couldn’t prise himself away.

His family were steeped in the club. His great-uncle Jimmy McStay played more than 400 games and managed Celtic in the ’40s. Paul’s brothers Willie and Raymond wore the Hoops.

At one point, the throwing of his jersey into the Jungle at the end of the 1991/92 season, looked like signalling a parting of the ways. Ultimately, he couldn’t do it.

McStay, who lives in Australia, said: “I just wanted to see what my options were. I threw my jersey into the crowd just to say thanks for all those years of support.

“I’d heard players in the past saying they’d never had the chance to say bye-bye to fans. I just wanted to show the fans my appreciation.”

The barren years were to continue and in 1994 McStay missed the sudden-death penalty that handed Raith Rovers the League Cup and extended a trophy drought to five years.

Three days later, Celtic played Hibs at Easter Road and McStay walked out to a massive ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone, Paul’ display from the away support.

He said: “I didn’t know what the reaction would be but that banner showed what they thought of me and they’d be there for us all.”

The experience made the winning of the Scottish Cup, defeating Airdrie, all the sweeter.

McStay retired in 1997 due to a long-running ankle issue.

A quiet, polite individual, he didn’t have to shout from rooftops – his ability did that. The way he played could have been set to music. Actually, it was... and can still be heard ringing round Celtic Park.

Every other Saturday.