A gifted, classy midfield schemer, McStay's career spanned 16 years with Celtic, with the one-club man regarded as the best of his generation in Scotland.
At his peak, McStay dominated the backpages - not just in Scotland, but also south of the border - where his name was consistently linked with the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool.
However, McStay was never tempted to chance his arm down south and for author John Wight, it was a decision that should sit well with the former Hoops captain.
Speaking to Tribalfootball.com about his new book, 'Jungle Days: Supporting Celtic in the 1980s', Wight said of McStay: "He was nicknamed 'The Maestro'.
"But he was unfortunate in many respects because he played when Rangers were on the ascendancy under Graeme Souness. So he never won the honours as cCltic captain that maybe he would have in a different era.
"A great passer of the ball. A great leader. A one club player - but he had offers to go to different clubs. I think Manchester United came in for him. But he was of that era where some players were so attached to the cause of the club, he came through the club's youth academy, he was happy to play for Celtic for all of his career.
"I don't know if he regrets that today, but he did appear at Celtic at Parkhead last year when they put up the Championship flag at the start of the season. And he was incredibly well received by the fans."
At the time, Celtic had McStay and Rangers had Paul Gascoigne. Though for Wight, despite his Celtic loyalties, comparisons were unfair.
He continued: "Paul McStay was fantastic, but Paul Gascoigne was a different class.
"Paul Gascoigne's goals, his individual skill, the way he could change games, his presence on the pitch. I mean, even though I'm a Celtic man and I'm a great fan of Paul McStay, I have to be honest and say Paul Gascoigne would, in his prime, get into any team in Europe.
"I'm not sure that Paul McStay could, because there were so many other great European players in his position at the time. But certainly Paul Gascoigne. He was that game-changer. He was just such a unique talent."
- Jungle Days: Supporting Celtic in the 1980s, by John Wight can be purchased from Pitch Publishing