CELTIC legend Paul McStay is ready to play his part in the bringing unity back to Parkhead.
The iconic captain has been confirmed as the front man for Willie Haughey’s proposed season ticket alliance.
In February, the Glasgow businessman revealed plans to buy £10million worth of club shares and gift them to Hoops fans.
There has been a dramatic fall-out between the board and a section of the support this season with some followers demanding change.
Australia-based McStay, 61, said: “I’ve been friends with Willie for about 40 years and I know where his heart is.
LIFT-OFF…Paul McStay fires Celtic into the lead in the 2-1 win at Ibrox in March 1988 that helped the club clinch the centenary title. Frank McAvennie gets a close-up view.
“He just wants the best for Celtic. Last year when I was back, I met up with the board, the directors at games, then I met up with various supporters clubs from the association, the registered clubs and season ticket holders.
“Every single person just wanted the best for Celtic and I think that’s where we are at now.
“We’ve come through a difficult time, a lot of people upset with what’s been happening. I think things like this can bring back unity at the club and get us all working together.
“We’ve all got different opinions, but there’s only one common interest that really matters and that’s that everyone wants the best for Celtic.
“They want a successful team on the park, a team that entertains and, hopefully, I think this initiative and one or two others will help that.”
McStay, speaking to Go Radio, continued: “I’m delighted to be involved and it’s an honour.
THE CUP THAT CHEERS…Paul McStay with the Scottish Cup in 1995.
“When Willie asked me and explained what the initiative was about, I thought it was excellent.
“I believe that the 54,000 season ticket holders who go along each week put a lot of money into the club and support it financially and, more importantly, vocally at the games.
“But there’s a lot of those season ticket holders who are not shareholders, so it’s difficult to voice their opinion at times.
“I think this is a great vehicle for them to sign up and be a part of something which allows them to give their opinions and be part of something that as a group can put their opinions forward to the club.”
McStay added: “This is taking me back to my roots as a young Celtic fan and even back then, when you got your first scarf or strip you became an ambassador then.
“Anybody involved with Celtic, a fan, is an ambassador for the club at all times.
JUST CHAMPION…Paul McStay with the Premiership silverware on a visit to Celtic Park.
“To me, this was something I felt I could really support with all my heart and I believe it’s also the right thing to give some of the fans a voice.”
Nicknamed ‘The Maestro’, McStay spent his entire playing career with Celtic and made 678 appearances before being forced to retire with a persistent ankle injury at only 32.
In his 16 years at Parkhead, the middle-of-the-park mastermind won eight honours – three titles, four Scottish Cups and one League Cup.
It looks as though McStay still has a role to play at his boyhood idols.
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