The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Footballhero DaveMackay
TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to former Scotland international midfielder Dave Mackay after his death at the age of 80.
Mackay, who was part of Tottenham’s 1961 double-winning team, passed away at a hospital in Nottingham on Monday.
Edinburgh-born Mackay, who started his career with Heart of Midlothian in 1953, won all three Scottish domestic honours with the Tynecastle side before moving south to Spurs.
He earned 22 caps for Scotland and captained Hearts to the Scottish league title in the 1957-58 season.
Mackay also starred for Derby County, where he won the Second Division as captain and was named joint footballer of the year in England in 1969. He lifted the First Division title as manager in 1975.
In a statement, Tottenham said: “We were saddened to hear of the death of our former captain Dave Mackay, who passed away at the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, this evening. He was 80.
“He was a superb player who possessed all the technique, passing ability and talent to be the complete footballer.
“He was the heartbeat of our 1961 Double side, was then a key member of the team that retained the FA Cup the following season and, although injury kept him out of our 1963 European Cup Winners’ Cup final triumph, he had played a vital role in getting us there.”
A statement on the Hearts website reads: “Heart of Midlothian FC was deeply saddened to learn of the death of legend Dave Mackay earlier this evening.
“Dave lost his long battle with illness at the age of 80 with his family at his bedside in Nottingham.
“A fearless defender regarded as the club’s greatest ever player, Dave won the league title, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup (twice) with Hearts before going on to star for Tottenham Hotspur and Derby County.
“Our sincerest condolences go to his family at this extremely sad time.”