If ever a manwasdestined to wear the treasured hoops it was surelyPaul McStay.Born brother to Willie and Raymond McStay, both former Celts themselves, and picked up by Celtic at an early age, it seemed that road to Celtic park awaited Paul since birth.McStay had a wide range of pa sing at his disposal, as well as an eye for the spectacular. At times it would seem as if he was guiding the ball around the park Toronto Blue Jays Hoodie .On the field he was a model pro, never one to wind up the opposition or discredit Celtic in anyway. Off it he was a quiet man who loved to spend time with his family.Ayoung McStay burst onto the scenes in 1982, scoring on his debut, as Celtic swept aside Aberdeen. From then on it was clear that a special player had arrived in Scottish game.&# Yangervis Solarte Jersey 13; Soon Celtics centenary year had arrived, everyone from the fans to the chairman knew the significance of the forthcoming season, and Mcstay and his team mates were determined to deliver.The hoops battled hard all season and eventually lifted both the league and Scottish cup. A league titled which was sealed at Ibrox with Mcstay orchestrating the win and claiming a goal for himself.Thereforewhen the time came for a new Celtic captain to fill the void left by the departing Roy Aitken, there was only ever one choiceThe Maestro.McStay took on the role with the cla s and pride that was expected of him by the board and most importantly the fans.As the financial situation deteriorated at Parkhead and the gap between board and fans expanded, it was Mcstaythat wasthe constant figureat the club, in a timewhen the sands seemed to be forever shifting Marcus Stroman Jersey under Celtics feet.Duringthe1990s Celtic were unable to match Rangers financial might that new owner David Murray had accrued. Many first team players had to be sold to balance the books and some left as they could see no way back for Celtic asRangers began a period of dominance that would lead to them matching Celtics original record of 9 league championships in a row.However McStayrejected various clubsattempts to signhim, and remained loyal to Celtic in the most difficult of times. Although silverware was scarce throughout the 90s it was fitting that McStay could at least lift a trophy as captain, which he most certainly deserved. The Celts triumphed in the Scottish cup final of 1995 and Paul was their tolift the Cup and the spirits of the fans.As season 1996/97 drew toa close the time came for Paul to hang up his boots and wave goodbye to the fans for a final Toronto Blue Jays T-Shirts time. The following season Celticwere the champions once again, the club had broken free from the strangle hold Rangers had enforced for the previous decade, and the fans had a new group of heroes.However without McStay would this have been po sible?He was the man who on the field retained Celtics dignity,in the way he played and lead the team. Without his calming influence on the game and pure ability Celtic would surely have fallen from grace even further and negotiations off the pitch which secured the clubs future may have been longer, more difficult or non existent. The man gave the fans something to cling to in a time of great desertion, he was the symbol of all things Celtic, and weathered the storm on the field Roger Clemens Jersey throughout the 90s.For all this and more McStay truly deserves his place amongst the Celtic greats. He was a light for the club in a time of darkne s and insparation to fans and team mates alike.To him Celtic was everything, and to us he was everything Celtic.