Willie McStay (II) was the elder brother of Paul, and was a more than competent defender for Celtic in the 1980s. Inevitably he is linked to and compared with Paul, but he was a fine player in himself.
He played mainly at right back and made his debut in 1983. In 1984, he and Paul made history by being the first pair of brothers to score for Celtic against Rangers, and in that year they both played in the Scottish Cup final, alas in a losing cause against Aberdeen.
But 1985 saw a better Cup final and Willie and Paul both won winners’ medals thus emulating what their great uncles Willie and Jimmy had done in 1923, 1925 and 1927.
They were also both involved in winning the League for Celtic in 1986, with Willie being harshly sent off in a 4-4 draw at Ibrox, but Willie lost his place halfway through the 1986/87 season. He was transferred to Huddersfield, then played for Notts County, Kilmarnock and Sligo Rovers with whom he had reasonable success winning the League of Ireland League and Cup in 1994.
imago/Colorsport – Football – Blue Sq Premier – Stockport County vs. Mansfield Didi Hamann and Assistant Willie McStay at Edgeley Park
He also managed Ujpest, Ross County and Celtic Reserves.
David Potter
