On this Day, 1995 – The Maestro, Paul McStay’s Testimonial | OneFootball

Thirty years ago today (12 December 1995), the career of one significant Celt was celebrated at Celtic Park…

Paul McStay and Roy Aitken celebrate Celtic winning the 1988 Scottish Cup Final on 14 May, against Dundee United at Hampden. Photo Imago/ Colorsport.

In music, the term Maestro is one of the greatest honours that can bestowed on someone. It indicates that that the performer is something akin to a genius. When it comes to Celtic, the phrase ‘Maestro’ only ever refers to one player: Paul McStay. A captain and midfield star of the 1980s and 1990s, this is his story…

Celtic legend Paul McStay poses with the league championship trophy prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on May 19, 2019.(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The phrase ‘Celtic family’ is often used to describe the different people connected to the club. In Paul McStay’s case, it is a literal truth, with numerous family connections tying him to Glasgow’s green-and-white men.

His great-uncles – Jimmy McStay and Willie McStay – were both Celtic stars across the 1920s and 1930s. Also, during the World War Two years, Jimmy became Celtic manager, replacing legendary boss Willie Maley.

Fast forwarding to the 1980s, the McStay family story was rekindled. As well as Paul playing for Celtic, he did so alongside his older brother, Willie. In addition, younger brother Raymond was also on Celtic’s books.

30/10/82 Celtic 3 Rangers 2. 30 October 1982, Celtic Park. Celtic’s Paul McStay dashes off to celebrate after levelling the score at 1-1. Photo The Celtic Wiki.

Born in Hamilton in 1964, Paul grew up in Larkhall, never considered to be the most welcoming of places for Celtic players or fans. However, this did not stop the young Celt from developing into a fine midfield player.

Although he would become well-known for Celtic, the first occasion when McStay came to public attention was in the dark blue of Scotland. He appeared for his country at various youth levels but is best remembered for a Wembley trip in 1980.

In a game played on live TV and with 70,000 in attendance, McStay captained the Scotland schoolboys’ team, despite being aged only 15. He put in a wonderful showing, scoring twice and helping his country claim an impressive 5-4 victory below the famous Twin Towers.

Both the Scottish and English press raved about his performance. One English newspaper described him as being “groomed for greatness” and predicted that he would have a very “bright future.”

By the time the London game took place, Paul had already signed for the Celts as an S-form player. The match gave notice that he would soon hope to show off his undoubted skills in the Celtic team.

Within 18 months of that game, McStay would follow in his great-uncles’ boot-steps and make his Celtic debut. He did so in January 1982, playing as the Celts easily disposed of Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup.

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During the remainder of the 1981-82 season – when the Bhoys would finish as League champions thanks to a final day victory – McStay played in various games, including scoring his first goal. This came in a crucial 3-1 win over Aberdeen, the team who ended the season just two points behind Celtic.

By the following campaign, it was clear that Paul was now an established first team player. He missed only two games as the Bhoys claimed the League Cup, although they lost their League title to Dundee United. Throughout the season, McStay had impressed with his work rate and passing, and could also add his name to the scoresheet.

Whenever there was Celtic success in the 1980s, it was a certainty that Paul McStay had an important role in these achievements. Whether under the management of Billy McNeill (twice) or David Hay, Paul was a near ever-present, missing only occasional matches.

Former Celtic captain Paul McStay walks out the tunnel before raising the Scottish Premiership flag. Celtic v St Mirren, Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, Glasgow, 3 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock (The Celtic Star)

Fans from that era will recall that when the team line-ups were read before matches at Celtic Park, the phrase “Number 8, Paul McStay” could simply have been pre-recorded and played each week.

Fans will have their own particular memories of him. Perhaps the moment that best encapsulates his on-field vision came in January 1988. In an Old Firm game at Celtic Park, he picked out a remarkable pass that surely no-one else in the ground had even seen, which led to a Frank McAvennie goal and a 3-1 win for the Hoops.

As a hugely popular player, he was given different nicknames. One of these was, of course, Maestro, celebrating his skills. Less obviously, he was also known as ‘The Hat’. There are various theories about why this was, including that he was capped at each level for Scotland, or that he looked like gangster Jack ‘The Hat’ McVittie, or simply that his hair looked like one!

1988: Paul McStay and Tommy Burns of Celtic during the Scottish Cup Final match at Hampden – Celtic won the match 2-1 Photo Allsport UK /Allsport

Of all his wonderful seasons in the 1980s, the Celts’ 1987-88 centenary is arguably his finest. As well as helping the club secure a fairytale League and Scottish Cup double, he was voted Scottish Player of the Year by his fellow professionals and football writers too.

It was not simply for Celtic that McStay starred and created important memories, he also did this for Scotland. As well as his 1980 schoolboys’ appearance, he became a national star, representing Scotland 76 times from 1983-1997, as well as captaining the side.

Interesting, his most notable Scotland moment came when he was still a youth player. In 1982, he was captain as the Scotland youth team won the UEFA European Under-18 Championship. This remains the only major tournament ever won by a Scotland side.

Paul Mcstay Scotland & Glasgow Celtic FC August 1993

In early-1990, Celtic captain Roy Aitken departed Glasgow. This meant a replacement was needed and so the club turned to their star midfielder, Paul McStay. It was a role that his skills certainly warranted, although he was a very different personality from Aitken.

Unfortunately, Paul’s time as Celtic’s on-field leader came as the club fell into a downward spiral. The Celts had stopped a Rangers treble in 1989 by winning the Scottish Cup, but that was the last silverware they would celebrate for six years. In fact, during this time, they were not simply second best, they finished as low as fifth in the title race.

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When 1992 came around, it seemed that the unthinkable was going to happen. Paul McStay – a one-club player and Celtic man since the early-1980s – was expected to leave. On the last day of the season, he threw his shirt into the Jungle in what looked like a farewell to the supporters.

Over the years, he had been linked with various moves to Italy, including Inter Milan and Fiorentina. Now more Italian sides were mentioned, including Udinese. However, the Maestro eventually chose to remain in Glasgow’s east end.

Celtic’s poor performances in the early-1990s came amidst a backdrop of supporter unrest, including boycotts and anti-Board campaigns. This would eventually culminate in Fergus McCann’s 1994 takeover of the club, which eventually put Celtic back on the path to the top.

Photo by David Crump/ANL/Shutterstock  –  Peter Grant Paul McStay And Manager Tommy Burns Are Delighted Celtic Fans Have Responded In Telephone Numbers To The Club s Vital Share Issue. Photo David Crump/ANL/Shutterstock

This year also saw another small piece of McStay history – it was the only time he saw red in his career. In August, playing against Dundee in the League Cup, Celtic claimed a 2-1 win. But before that happened, Paul was sent off following a clash with Dundee’s Dusan Vrto, who was also dismissed.

Following Fergus McCann’s takeover, another popular Celtic midfielder, Tommy Burns, returned to the club as boss. In his first season, he took Celtic to the League Cup Final. Playing against First Division side Raith Rovers, it seemed certain that Celtic would end their trophy drought.

The match proved to be memorable for the wrong reasons. Celtic struggled to beat their lower league opponents with the game ending 2-2 in normal time. Even extra time could not achieve a winner, and so penalties were needed. With Celtic trailing 6-5, Celtic’s captain stepped up – and missed his penalty, giving the Fife side victory.

Paul McStay’s penalty is saved in the shoot-out at Celtic’s League Cup Final defeat to Raith Rovers at Ibrox on 27 November 1994. Photo The Celtic Wiki

For McStay, this was a terrible moment. He had hoped to finally lift silverware as captain but instead fell at the most important moment. The fans though rallied round their hero. Three days later, the Bhoys went to Easter Road for a League game. As well as singing McStay’s name throughout, fans unveiled a banner beforehand stating ‘You’ll never walk alone, Paul’.

By the end of the season, this sad event was well and truly forgotten. The Bhoys reached the Scottish Cup Final, and once more they faced lower league opposition in the form of Airdrie. It was yet again a tight game but a Pierre van Hooijdonk header ensured that Celtic had their first trophy for six years, and McStay lifted his first as captain.

At the final whistle, the emotion and delight was clear to see on Paul McStay’s face, as well as relief for finally winning silverware. He later remarked that: “The game was ninety minutes long but for me the game lasted as long as my five years as captain and six years without a trophy.”

Unfortunately, this was to prove to be the only time that Paul McStay led his team to cup success. Later that year, his Celtic commitment was celebrated in a testimonial game in December 1995. On a very foggy night, Manchester United came to Glasgow and returned to England following a 3-1 defeat.

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Under Tommy Burns, Celtic were playing an exciting brand of attacking football. McStay was an important part of the team. But in the 1996-97 season, it was clear that the realities of age were catching up with Paul. In his seasons at the club, he generally appeared in almost every game, but injury ruled him out of most games in the second half of 1996.

Although he played more in early-1997, by the end of the season, he had decided that his time in football was over. McStay had sustained an ankle injury and it had such an effect that he chose to announce that he was retiring. It was a sad end to 16 years at Celtic which had featured some memorable moments and performances.

Unlike many former players, retirement from playing did not result in coaching or managerial jobs. Some said that these types of roles simply did not match his relatively quiet personality, which was a criticism that he sometimes received in terms of his time as captain. He eventually built a new life on the other side of the work, moving to Australia with his family.

Celtic v Hibs, 22 January 1983. Paul McStay (8) rushes to congratulate Celtic goalscorer George McCluskey (10).Photo The Celtic Wiki

Despite the relatively disappointing end to his playing career, McStay can still look back on a very proud record when wearing the Hoops. He scored 72 times for the club across 678 games. In fact, he is joint fourth in Celtic history for scoring in successive seasons, doing so on 16 occasions. He also celebrated different successes with Celtic, especially in the 1980s. He won three Leagues, four Scottish Cups and the League Cup. The last of these prizes was as captain in the 1995 Scottish Cup Final.

Paul McStay was always a significant talent, arguably one who was never entirely appreciated by many. He was sometimes criticised for remaining at Celtic his whole career and not playing elsewhere. However, others ignore this. Notable players – including Rio Ferdinand – have praised his on-field influence and skill.

Since leaving Celtic, he has been back at Celtic Park as an honoured guest at different times. This includes in 2019 when he led out the team before the League trophy presentation, and 2025 when he unfurled the League flag for the club.

Paul McStay scoring at Ibrox in 1988. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Over the years, Celtic have had many fine players, not least midfielders. When it comes to discussions over who would get in an all-time Celtic XI, the fact that McStay’s name is regularly suggested as an option is a tribute to his influence and legacy.

He was the Maestro then, and that remains the case. And as long as there is a Celtic, Paul McStay’s name will be associated with that praise and description.

Matthew Marr

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