PAUL McSTAY, known as The Maestro, played his last game for Celtic on this date in 1997.
The club legend, at the age of 32, deserved a greater send-off than a nondescript 10-minute outing in front of a mere crowd of 7,914 in a drab 1-1 draw with Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy.
McStay, one of the most proficient ball artistes in the Parkhead club’s proud history, started the league game before being forced off early with a leg injury.
David Hannah came on to replace the captain and, as the iconic Celt disappeared into the bowels of Starks Park, no-one realised they would never again see the club great in the green-and-white hoops.
GOVAN GLEE…Paul McStay celebrates a memorable goal in a 2-1 win over Rangers at Ibrox in March 1988 on the way to Celtic’s league and Cup-winning Centenary Year.
The ankle problem that had plagued him throughout the season finally persuaded the skipper to call it a day.
Following his cameo appearance in Fife, McStay, after 678 games for his solitary club, retired the following month.
In his 16 years at Parkhead, the middle-of-the-park mastermind won eight honours – three titles, four Scottish Cups and one League Cup.
The 1996/97 season had promised much for Celtic, but delivered little.
Manager Tommy Burns had assembled what looked like a first-class squad with colourful characters such as Paulo di Canio, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Jorge Cadete – scornfully labelled ‘The Three Amigos’ by club supremo Fergus McCann – mixing with Tom Boyd, Alan Stubbs, Andreas Thom and, of course, McStay.
IT TAKES TWO…jubilant Paul McStay and Tommy Burns celebrate Celtic’s 1-0 Scottish Cup Final victory over Airdrie in May 1995.
They completed the league campaign second to Rangers and ended without a trophy for the second consecutive crusade.
Rangers knocked the Hoops out of the League Cup, but Burns’ men got ample revenge by beating them 2-0 to eject the Ibrox club from the Scottish Cup in the quarter-finals.
Disaster struck in the semi-final when Celtic toppled out 1-0 to second-tier Falkirk following an initial 1-1 draw.
Burns was sacked shortly afterwards.
It was not the way the season should have ended for either of the club greats.
ALEX GORDON
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