Funeral held for Utd star McLean

THE private funeral of Dundee United icon Jim McLean has been held, according to the club.

A spokesman for the Tangerines confirmed the funeral took place this week, respecting the family’s wishes that it should not be announced beforehand.

It is understood Police Scotland had also requested that no prior announcement be made to avoid too many people gathering in tribute.

A standing ovation was held before the 2-2 game against St Johnstone at Tannadice on Tuesday night.

Jim McLean died, aged 83, on Boxing Day after a long illness. He had been suffering from dementia.

Mr McLean managed Dundee United between 1971 and 1993, becoming the club’s longest-serving and most successful manager, winning three major honours.

“He also took the Terrors to a UEFA Cup final, and the European Cup semi-final.

The club spokesman said: “The team wore special T-shirts ahead of Tuesday night’s game. The players are now going to sign these and they will be auctioned off in aid of Alzheimer’s Scotland.

“Proceeds from programmes sold for the game will also go to charity, as will proceeds from the live streaming of the match.”

Within hours of the football legend’s death fans began leaving scarves, flags and other mementoes at the gates of Tannadice.

A week later memorabilia took up the entire fencing at the club.

Other clubs were also represented, including Dundee FC, Celtic, Rangers, Ajax and IFK Gothenburg – the latter defeated United in the 1986 UEFA Cup final.

Hundreds of tributes to Mr McLean were paid by fans from at home in Dundee, the UK and across the world.

These included Sir Alex Ferguson, whose Aberdeen side famously broke the dominance of Rangers and Celtic alongside United in the early 1980s.

Sir Alex described Mr McLean as his greatest adversary in football.

Famed Dundee United manager Jim McLean celebrates with fans when a stand was named after him in 2011.