Tributes flood in for Dundee legend Gilzean
TRIBUTES poured in last night as the football world mourned the death of Dundee hero Alan Gilzean.
The former Scotland and Spurs striker lost his brave fight against brain cancer at the age of 79.
ALAN GILZEAN was never a man to make a huge song and dance about his achievements – because he simply didn’t need to.
Actions speak far louder than words – and records written in black and white practically jump off the page themselves.
The former Dundee, Tottenham and Scotland striker passed away yesterday at the age of 79 after recently being diagnosed with a brain tumour and whether the tributes were coming in from the back streets around Dens or the shadow of the old White Hart Lane, the same word appeared again and again: Legend.
Not that Gilzean would have ever used it himself.
Kenny Ross, Dundee’s official historian, said: “Gillie was one of the Dundee greats, if not the greatest.
“But he was far too modest to ever think that way. Whenever you spoke to him about his goals, his achievements or his incredible ability, he’d always shrug it off and say it was a team game.”
If a man can be judged by the company he keeps, Gilzean was a giant among greats. They lined up yesterday to pay their respects to one of Scottish football’s greatest talents.
A superstar at Dundee, the striker shattered records before going on to become a Spurs hero.
Tottenham icon Steve Perryman paid an emotional tribute to his friend and former room mate on Spurs trips.
He said: “He was the first one the fans sang about being the king.
“Others wondered why they hadn’t BY MICHAEL GANNON sung it about them first but Gillie was elegant, majestic and a gentleman who had a nice word for everyone. Class written all over him.
“I used to call him Nureyev on grass because his movement was so balletic. When he walked into a room, it was the coolest, most stylish, casual walk you’ve ever seen.
“Gillie was full of stories and anecdotes, which came from a great place: Respect for the game.
“He loved football, he cared about the people who played it and watched it, and Scotland has lost a great man.”
Gilzean burst through at Dundee and helped fire the Dark Blues to the Scottish Championship in 1962 and the European Cup semifinals the following season.
He rattled 52 goals in the league-winning year, nine goals on the Euro run including a winner against AC Milan and hat-tricks against Sporting Lisbon and Cologne.
At Spurs he lifted the FA Cup, two League Cups and the UEFA Cup but counted his invitation to play in the Stanley Matthews testimonial as one of his greatest achievements.
Old strike partner Jimmy Greaves said: “Heartbreaking news. Sympathy to his family. He was a lovely man and one of the all time Spurs greats.”
Gilzean won just 22 caps but hit 12 goals for Scotland at a time when the national side was never more spoiled for
choice.