Tributes have been paid to former Tottenham, Hearts and Scotland midfielder Dave Mackay, who has died aged 80.
Mackay, who was part of Spurs’ 1961 double-winning team, passed away at hospital in Nottingham on Monday evening, Spurs announced.
The 22-cap Scotland international began his career with Hearts in 1953 and captained the Edinburgh side to the Scottish League title during the 1957-58 season.
Mackay moved south of the border to join Tottenham in 1959 and helped the north London club become the first English side to win the league and FA Cup double during the 1960-61 season.
The Edinburgh-born player helped Tottenham retain the FA Cup the following season and was captain when Spurs lifted the trophy in 1967.
“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 (Monday, March 2). He was 80,” a statement on Tottenham’s website read.
“He was a superb player who possessed all the technique, passing ability and talent to be the complete footballer,” the statement continued.
“He was the heart-beat 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.
“He formed a marvellous midfield combination with Danny Blanchflower and, when the Northern Ireland international left us in 1964, Mackay took over as Spurs captain and led us to another FA Cup triumph in 1967. He twice broke the same leg in our cause but, each time, came back stronger than ever.”
Mackay left Tottenham to join Derby in 1968 and helped Brian Clough’s side win promotion to the First Division the following year before taking up a player-manager role at Swindon Town in 1971.
A year later Mackay left the Robins to manage Nottingham Forest for a brief spell before succeeding Clough as Derby manager in 1973, with the Rams winning the First Division title in 1975.
Hearts also paid tribute to Mackay, who won four trophies in six years with the Tynecastle side.
“Heart of Midlothian FC was deeply saddened to learn of the death of legend Dave Mackay earlier this evening,” a statement on the Scottish Championship club’s website read.
“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.”
Walsall, whom Mackay managed from March 1977 to August 1978, said: “Former Walsall FC manager, Dave Mackay, has passed away at the age of 80. Our thoughts go out to his family at this sad time. RIP.”