PAUL MCSTAY TAKEN AT THE 1995 – 1996 CELTIC PHOTOCALL. Photo: Allsport UK/ALLSPORT
The Celtic Star: How would a young Paul McStay perform in your team, and would you like to have managed him?
Brendan Rodgers: “Paul McStay would probably play in two positions for me. 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 and… 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. But that was my memories growing up.
“You know, with Paul on the team… just an icon of the club and 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… what a brilliant player. So to see him on Sunday will be amazing. He was such an icon at such a tough time for Celtic as well, but just a… I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player, and obviously, the humility he has. I don’t know Paul that well, but I know many people who do, and like I said, he was… just meeting him when I did that first time, he just… the humility of the guy when really all I wanted to do was bow at his feet. He’s such a brilliant player.”
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 Celtic Star: There must be a lesson as well for when Celtic were struggling and he was captain, that he stayed at the club when he had big offers from Italy?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, and I think that’s the decision. You see the likes of Callum and those guys that have come through the system and will end their careers probably here, I’m sure. And Paul did that when he had that opportunity. I remember at the time, the likes of even Everton and clubs like that, who in those sorts of times were right at the top of the game. But yeah, listen, everyone’s… every individual is different. I think for him and boys like Tommy and guys like that, they were… they absolutely love Celtic and they love being here. You can’t knock anyone, whether they stay or whether they go, but as long as they give everything whilst they’re here and however long they’re here, that’s all you can ask.”
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This board are chasing Brendan out the door with their pathetic low-ball offers for players,who can blame him if he walks away because the board are not backing him and gambling on reaching the champions league group stages before spending any of the millions they have squirreled away.
Shame you didn’t write this 10 years ago, Peter. You could’ve cut and pasted it every year and saved yourself the typing.
We had the chance to bury sevco once and for all , but lawell has stated “we need a strong rangers” !! You think if the shoe was on the other foot the govanites would have went easy on us ? No chance !