McStay departs Celtic for Ujpest

Celtic have announced that reserve team coach Willie McStay has left the club to take up the role as manager of Ujpest FC in Budapest, Hungary.

A former Celtic player, McStay has enjoyed success with the Celtic reserve sides, winning an eighth successive league title this year.

McStay has operated in a coaching capacity at Celtic for 15 years.

He said: "This is a great move for me at this stage of my career. I'm looking forward to the challenge."

The move is thought to be part of an international exchange programme in which Ujpest would be utilised as a feeder club for Celtic, with the Glasgow club's youth players gaining early experience in Hungary.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Willie to gain invaluable managerial experience and we wish him every success"

With Tony Mowbray's arrival, Celtic's reserve and youth set-up was expected to undergo a shake-up and McStay's departure will allow the new manager to make his own mark on the development of emerging talent.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Willie to gain invaluable managerial experience and we wish him every success."

Ujpest FC chief executive Joe Borocz was in Glasgow on Tuesday to conclude the negotiations.

Borocz added: "We are looking forward to welcoming Willie to Budapest.

"We are confident that he will have a very positive impact on our team and on Hungarian football overall."

McStay, the brother of former Celtic midfielder Paul, made 65 league appearances for Celtic between 1979 and 1987 and had spells with Huddersfield Town, Notts County and Hartlepool United.

He took up a role as player-manager of Sligo Rovers from 1992 to 1994 before taking on the reserve coaching role at Celtic.

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