McStay, Raymond

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Personal

Fullname: Raymond McStay
aka: Ray McStay
Born: 16 May 1970
Birthplace: Hamilton
Signed: Pro May 1989
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5′ 10” (180cm)
Internationals: None
International Caps: ?
International Goals: ?

Biog

Younger brother of Paul and Willie and an elegant midfield playmaker in his own right.

Emerged from the Boy’s Club and signed on in May 1987 after already playing in BP Youth Cup games. Became a Youth and Reserve team regular but was kept waiting for a first team chance.

He sat on the bench for a League game with St. Johnstone on 10 April 1993, but was unused.

By the end of the following season he was still competing in the reserves (a sub for Biggins in the 1-1 ‘Old Firm’ game on 5 January 1994 before a reported 20,331). But having been at the club seven years and eager for first team football he knocked back a new deal and became out of contract on 31 May 1994.

Had interest from England but in those pre-Bosman days would still command a six-figure transfer fee. Stayed on monthly contracts until a move to Northampton Town was agreed on 28 December 1994 – only for the English club’s manager to be sacked the following day!

With luckless Raymond now heartily sick of his situation he was finally granted a free transfer to hometown team Hamilton Accies on 10 January 1995. Over the next 18 months he was a regular – when not pestered by niggly injuries – and scored a few goals while functioning as a creative midfielder (alongside a young Paul Hartley). But with Hamilton battling bankruptcy he was released at the culmination of 1995/96.

After a partial pre-season back at Barrowfield, his next port of call was a trial with French team Laval in July 1996. As his fiancée was a French teacher, Raymond fancied a move to the continent so he hooked up with them at their Monaco training base, and, alongside Gerry Britton, played in a bounce game on 17 July 1996.

Not taken on in France (Britton went to Dunfermline), it was a case of “have boots, will travel” as Raymond set about a gruelling schedule of trials and friendly games. He played for Shrewsbury against Walsall on 25 July 1996, Grimsby against Queen of the South on 31 July and then on to a short term contract with Hereford United in August.

A prolonged trial and Reserve appearances followed at Wycombe Wanderers during October and November, before he turned out for Cardiff in a League match with Mansfield on 21 December 1996. The end of season lists also revealed that one ‘R McStay’ had turned out as a trialist for both Stranraer and East Stirling during 1996/97.

With Raymond’s dreams of full-time football apparently receding, there was one bright spot when Malky MacKay obliged him with the first goal against Rangers, at odds of 50/1.

He called time on his football career at around the same time as Paul, but suffered yet more ill-fortune when a tropical disease blighted his Caribbean honeymoon that summer. Made a full recovery and has since pursued business interests, currently working for a design company.

Playing Career

		League Appearances	League Goals
1987/88	Celtic	0	0
1988/89	Celtic	0	0
1989/90	Celtic	0	0
1990/91	Celtic	0	0
1991/92	Celtic	0	0
1992/93	Celtic	0	0
1993/94	Celtic	0	0
1994/95	Celtic	0	0
	Hamilton Academical	10	1
1995/96	Hamilton Academical	20	5
1996/97	Cardiff City	1	0
	Stranraer	1	0
	East Stirlingshire	1	0

Honours

Pictures

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Media

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Links

• BP Youth Cup Appearances
• Raymond @Linkedin

Ready for a last bite at the first-team cherry, 1993

Welcomed into the fold.