Tributes pour in after death of Dundee legend Alan Gilzean.

FOOTBALL: A Perthshire lad who made his mark on the game north and south of the border

Dundee FC legend Alan Gilzean died yesterday morning aged 79, following a brain tumour battle.

“Gillie” was part of Dundee’s greatest team and was one of the best goalscorers of his generation.

Born in Coupar Angus, Gilzean spent seven years at Dundee, winning the 1961-62 league title before helping the club reach the European Cup semi-final the following season.

Gilzean holds almost every goalscoring record at Dens Park, including most career goals, most goals in a season, most European goals and most hat-tricks.

He also shares the honour of scoring most goals in a game when he netted seven times against Queen of the South in December 1962.

He left Dundee in 1964 and joined Tottenham, where he established himself over the next decade as an all-time Spurs great and became known as the King of White Hart Lane.

He formed memorable partnerships with Jimmy Greaves and Martin Chivers and scored 133 goals for Tottenham in all competitions.

A spokesman said: “Everyone at Dundee FC are devastated to learn that club legend Alan Gilzean passed away after recently being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Alan’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

After provisionally signing on at Dens Park in 1956, Gilzean was farmed out to Dundee Violet and Coupar Angus Juniors.

He did not make his debut until August 1959 against Motherwell in a home League Cup tie.

Gilzean made 190 appearances for Dundee, scoring 169 goals, including 52 in one season, which was a record that would stand until Henrik Larsson broke it 39 years later in 2001.

He signed for Spurs in December 1964 for £72,500. Forming a memorable partnership with Jimmy Greaves, they became known as the G-Men.

When Greaves left in 1970, Gilzean formed another great partnership with Martin Chivers until he retired in 1973.

During his time at Spurs he won the 1967 FA Cup, two League Cups in 1971 and 1973 and the Uefa Cup in 1973.

A statement from Tottenham read: “Everyone at the club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our legendary former striker Alan Gilzean.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Former team-mate and fellow striker Greaves also paid tribute to Gilzean.

“Heartbreaking news today,” he wrote on Twitter.

“He was a lovely man and obviously one of the all-time Spurs greats.”

Gilzean played 22 times for Scotland, scoring 14 goals, including the only goal in a 1-0 victory over England in 1964.

Picture: David Young. Above: Dundee United goalkeeper Sandy Davie saves from Alan Gilzean during a 1-1 draw at Tannadice in September 1962. Top right: Gilzean won 22 caps for his country. Top left: Alan Gilzean salutes the crowd at half-time during a Dundee v Hearts pre-season friendly at Dens Park in 2014.