‘I watched him’ – Paul McStay wowed by ‘different class’ Celtic flop who has just been sold for £1.3m

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Over the years, Celtic fans have been blessed to have witnessed some great midfielders grace the Parkhead pitch.

However, many hold the opinion that few come close to the great Paul McStay, who returned to Glasgow at the start of August.

Celtic’s Flag Day win over St Mirren was celebrated by McStay himself being given the honours to unfurl the flag before kick-off. 

McStay no longer resides in Scotland but now lives in Australia. He sat down to do a podcast with Frank McAvennie during his visit to Glasgow, where the subject turned to a certain Marco Tilio.

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With McStay in Australia, he got the chance to see Tilio in action when he was a teenager, and he lauded him as a ‘technically gifted’ player and somebody who was ‘different class.’

Days before Tilio was sold to Rapid Wien for £1.3 million, McStay told the Let Me Be Frank Podcast that the 24-year-old would ‘do well’ in Celtic colours.

Unfortunately for the winger, that hasn’t happened, and he has ended up flopping for the champions of Scotland after making just two appearances over a two year period.

“Tilio didn’t do anything, and he is still there,” said Frank McAvennie before the winger’s summer exit from Celtic.

McStay responded: “I watched him when he was 16 at Sydney. Different class. Just stuck out. Technically gifted player.”

McAvennie added: “You know better than anyone. It takes a big set of balls to walk into that front door and be the player that Celtic want. You have got to have a bit about you. You have got to have a confidence that a lot of players haven’t got.

“I see a lot of players come through, and they don’t hack it. Then they go away, and they are good again. It’s just the pressure.”

McStay continued: “It’s an environment where there is pressure. But I think he will do well.” 

Celtic’s support in Australia

Celtic have a large following across the world, but there is especially a lot of love for Scotland’s most successful club in Australia.

Of course, Ange Postecoglou’s trophy-laden reign certainly helps matters, but with McStay now living down under, he shared what it was like keeping up with Celtic. 

“Celtic is a big club over there,” shared McStay. “Big support because of all the expats

“In recent times, it has been like half four kick-offs on a Saturday afternoon. Midday kick-offs at half 12 are good. You get a 9 pm (in Australia). When the clocks change, you get midnight, but you catch the game as well.”