James McFadden shares that his footballing hero was a ‘top, top draw’ Celtic legend

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James McFadden had the chance to represent Celtic during his career.

After all, it was his boyhood club, but instead, McFadden ended up building himself a quite illustrious career elsewhere, including representing the likes of Motherwell and Everton.

The former midfielder also earned 48 caps for Scotland, starting his career after the turn of the century, before hanging up his boots in 2018 at the Queen of the South.

Now, fans get to see McFadden on their TV screens, where he is a regular pundit on Sky Sports, analysing Celtic’s dominance in Scotland.

Even though the 41-year-old holds a neutral view whenever analysing games, especially the Glasgow derby between Celtic and Rangers.

Those in green and white colours hold a special place in his heart because of the Celtic legend he grew up admiring – no wonder he became a midfielder!

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James McFadden shares that Celtic legend Paul McStay was his footballing hero

Not only do fans love one of their own repping their colours, but it’s even better if they commit their whole careers to the club.

Put aside Callum McGregor’s loan spell at Notts County when he was a teenager, he has put his footballing life into Celtic and so has James Forrest.

Paul McStay was also in that boat and he was McFadden’s footballing hero during the 1990’s, as he told Open Goal.

McStay was lauded and applauded by the Open Goal panel, including former Rangers man Derek Ferguson stating that he was ‘top, top draw’ and the man who used to ‘run the show’ from the middle of the park.

Who was your footballing hero: “Paul McStay,” responded McFadden.

On if he ever got to meet McStay: “I have met him, aye,” added the Sky pundit. “But as I was older. When I was younger, I wanted to play centre midfield.”

Gordon Dalziel then interrupted: “What do you mean ‘did I ever get to meet him?’ Paul McStay? Surely you met, Paul McStay. He played for Celtic for years.”

A baffled McFadden then stated: “Aye, I know. He was playing in like 1994. I would have been like 11. He was brilliant.”

Derek Ferguson added: “Paul was top, top draw. Absolutely. I played against him numerous times. Didn’t even get close to him. He was just running the show. You had to target him or make sure he didn’t play as well as he did.”

McStay’s Celtic career in numbers

Dubbed ‘the Maestro’, the man donning Celtic’s number eight shirt was a joy to behold and one of the best players to watch.

McStay started his career in 1982, after coming through the ranks, before hanging up his boots a few years before Martin O’Neill was going to arrive on the scene.

Overall, it was a career of high quality from McStay, and most importantly, one that produced trophy after trophy.