Final Farewell For Hearts Legend Dave Mackay
Famous faces from the world of football are expected to pay their final respects to former Hearts, Tottenham and Scotland captain Dave Mackay today.
The Edinburgh-born midfielder died in hospital earlier this month at the age of 80.
Players past and present are due to attend his funeral in Edinburgh, with the cortege leaving from his beloved Tynecastle Stadium for a remembrance service in the city.
Mackay won all three Scottish domestic honours with Hearts in the 1950s and was a key part of Spurs' famous 1961 double-winning team.
He was named Footballer of the Year in both Scotland and England, and also starred for Derby County, where he won the First Division title as manager.
Hearts described him as the club's greatest-ever player. ''Dave lost his long battle with illness at the age of 80 with his family at his bedside in Nottingham," a statement read.
''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.''
The midfielder was described as the heartbeat'' of Spurs as tributes poured in after his death.
A club statement said: ''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."
Mackay won 22 caps for Scotland and began his career with Hearts in 1953.
He captained the Edinburgh side to the Scottish League title during the 1957-58 season and joined Spurs in 1959, helping the north London club become the first English side to win the league and FA Cup double during the 1960-61 season.
He joined 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 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.