Paul McStay was born into Celtic tradition. His great-great-uncles Willie and Jimmy McStay played for the club in its formative years while his brothers Willie and Raymond have both been on the playing staff at Parkhead. He said himself: "Like many Celtic fans, I feel as though the great players I have watched and heard about are like members of an extended family: the Celtic family."

He signed for Celtic in 1981 at the age of 17 and gained a regular place in midfield the following season. In 1990 McStay became the Celtic skipper when Roy Aitken moved to Newcastle United. He has led the side ever since.

McStay's flair coupled with a great ability to read the game has made him one of the most creative players in football today. The fact that he has represented his country at all levels shows how much his talent is valued.

A member of the international squad for the World Cup in both 1986 and 1990, McStay is the most gifted player to play at Parkhead in recent years and the most capped player in the club's history.