Raise the roof off Paradise for the Maestro, Paul McStay, one of Celtic’s finest sons

The Maestro of course is the honoured guest at Celtic Park on Flag Day as Celtic become the first Scottish club to celebrate 55 title wins and of course this is the 13th title win in 14 seasons.

It’s a level of success that was denied to Paul McStay, the most gifted Scottish player of his generation, he really had everything, skill, vision, a love of Celtic, total commitment to the cause and just the best footballer to emerge at Celtic since Kenny Dalglish. Paul was magnificent in the Hoops and certainly deserved to have won more than he did. ending up playing in a very poor Celtic team in the first half of the 1990’s.

The 1980s were better for Paul McStay, a decade where he emerged early on and played in some wonderful Celtic teams in a competitive era with both Aberdeen and Dundee United providing real challenges. By the centenary season he was well established as a key play in Billy McNeill’s side and a young Brendan Rodgers over in Ireland was watching in awe.

“Paul would probably play in two positions for me,” Brendan told The Celtic Star at Friday’s often tense media conference. “He was amazing. When the club spoke to me and told me that there was the possibility of him coming to do the flag day, I went into my boy mode again.

“What an amazing icon of the club he is. It’s just a shame you don’t see so much of him, he’s obviously on the other side of the world now. But that was my memories growing up – with Paul on the team. He is just an icon of the club, such a humble guy.

“I had the privilege of meeting him for the first time when I was here. He came into my office and it was just brilliant. To see him on Sunday will be amazing. He was such an icon at such a tough time for Celtic. I can’t speak highly enough of him.

“I don’t know Paul that well, but I know many people who do I was struck by the humility of the guy when I met him. All I really wanted to do was bow at his feet.”