mcstay hails his special reserves

Gregor Kyle
IT was with a mixture of pride and hope for the future that Willie McStay looked back on the reserves' title-winning campaign, with the Hoops having clinched a record seventh league title on Monday at Celtic Park.

A comprehensive 4-0 victory over Hibs in the final league game of the season proved to be a fitting finish for a reserve team which has won the title ‘the Celtic way’, with McStay’s blend of youth and experience playing highly entertaining football throughout the campaign.

Built on a backbone of talented Under-21s, their youthful enthusiasm has been complemented perfectly by a group of senior professionals who have led by example.

“Their contribution over the season has been enormous,” explained McStay, “I just can’t sing the praises of the senior players enough.

“Even in that last game against Hibs, they came in and produced a fantastic performance and I think that anybody who turned up at the game on Monday will have seen that not only the youngsters, but the senior players enjoyed their football.

“We work hard with them, they contribute in training and in the overall training programme, but when they take the stage it’s their day,” continued McStay.

“It was the last day of the season, there was a good crowd, they were playing to win a championship and you saw what happened. The football was, for myself and Danny (McGrain), a joy to watch and their attitude and professionalism was a credit to them.”

The title win completes a remarkable turnaround for McStay’s reserves who remarkably found themselves in the lower reaches of the table in December last year.

“I remember just prior to Christmas people were saying, ‘what’s happened to Celtic’s reserve team, they’re third bottom!’” smiled McStay. “Celtic’s reserve team were doing okay, we just hadn’t played in games!

“But we worked through our games in hand, won them and have won the championship.

“Winning the championship is great,” McStay added. “It’s a wee reward for the work that has been done at this level and in every department, but the main thing is that we can help the manager to fulfil every supporters’ dream by bringing the Premier League title back to Celtic Park. That’s what we are here for, we are here to support them.”