Scottish football is today in mourning with the news that former Hearts, Tottenham Hotspur and Scotland football stalwart Dave Mackay has died at the age of 80.
Mackay, who won all three major Scottish trophies during his time with Hearts in the 1950s,  lost his long battle with illness. His adoring family were at his bedside in Nottingham.
A player who had no fear, Mackay is widely regarded as Hearts greatest-ever player. He won the league title, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup (twice) with Hearts before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 1959 where he had a successful and distinguished career. He later moved to Derby County and managed The Rams to the English League Championship.
Mackay famously once said of his time at Tynecastle: “For as long as I can remember, all I wanted in my life, nothing else, was to play for Hearts, which is my dream team. And to play for Scotland. I had no ambition for anything else. Always Hearts.”
He was also asked, when attending a Tottenham Hotspur v Derby County game, which team he was supporting, given his career with both clubs. After a pause, he looked at the reporter and snarled ‘I’m a Hearts supporter, son’.
Heart of Midlothian – and indeed Scottish football – is much poorer for the passing of one of the country’s greatest ever players.
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
Very sad news. I was at gym this morning and saw clips of him on TV but without sound. I suspected the worst but hoped that bbc was going to interview him. Sadly it was bad news. I never saw him live but remember him on tv with spurs and derby. RIP Dave
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