Gilzean will need all his determination
By Sean Hamilton
Alan Gilzean was an elegant, skilful player for Dundee and Tottenham.
But former team- mate Craig Brown believes his fighting qualities will stand him in good stead for his greatest battle.
Dark Blues and Spurs fans were left stunned when news broke that Gillie, a legend at both clubs, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Brown, a fellow-member of Dundee’s title-winning squad of 1962, was equally shocked.
But the former Scotland manager knows his old Dark Blues team- mate’s strength of character will help him fight tooth and nail against his illness.
“Gillie was very determined as a player,” said Brown. “And I believe that determination will stand him in the best possible stead for the battle he now faces.
“When I think back to our days together at Dundee, he was simply unstoppable on the pitch.
“Clearly, when he went to Tottenham he was exactly the same.
“The regard he is held in by both clubs and their fans tells the story.
“Both Dundee and Spurs have sent their best wishes to Alan and his family, 50 years on from the time he actually played for them.
“That’s the type of regard ‘Gillie’ is held in by absolutely everybody within football, from his fellow players to fans across the spectrum of the game.”
The Coupar Angus-born striker made 190 appearances for Dundee between 1957 and 1964, scoring an astonishing 164 goals.
After moving to Spurs he racked up 133 goals in 439 appearances, many of them alongside the prolific Jimmy Greaves, with whom he struck up a formidable partnership.
Gilzean, now 79, also won 22 caps for Scotland, scoring 12 times for his country.
“Gillie’s record speaks for itself,” said Brown. “There is no arguing with the facts – he was an absolutely fantastic football player.
“But, as team-mates, you get to know the man rather than just the player.
“He was back then – and is now – a smashing guy.
“So my thoughts are very much with him and his family at what must be a very difficult time.”