Sir Alex Ferguson leads tributes to Dave Mackay
Tuesday 24 March 2015 18:12, UK
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is just one prominent figure who has paid tribute to Hearts and Tottenham legend Dave Mackay who was laid to rest on Tuesday.
The former Scotland international passed away earlier this month at the age of 80 after a long illness and hundreds of fans lined the streets to pay their respects as a cortege left Hearts’ Tynecastle Stadium for a service in Edinburgh which was attended by some of the biggest names in British football.
Mackay, who won 22 caps for Scotland, lifted all three domestic trophies with his first club Hearts before moving south of the border to join Tottenham in 1959.
He helped Spurs win the league and FA Cup in 1961, making them the first English team to achieve the feat in the 20th century, and went on to win the FA Cup on two further occasions, in 1962 and 1967.
A tough-tackling midfielder, he also steered Derby County to the First Division title as manager in 1975.
The current Hearts squad, who won the Scottish Championship on Sunday, attended the funeral, alongside the likes of Alan Mullery, Alan Gilzean and Denis Law.
Pat Jennings and Ian St John were also among those in attendance. Former Hearts striker John Robertson did a reading while Mackay's former Spurs team-mate Cliff Jones and Ferguson also spoke.
The former Manchester United manager detailed being tackled by Mackay during the only match he played against him.
"I was playing for Queen's Park reserves against Hearts reserves at Tynecastle and the great Mackay was playing because he was coming back from a broken toe," he said.
“It was sore. But our generation did not lie down; you had to get up. And I got up with that sort of vengeance that a young lad from Glasgow would have and I got up there and I looked at that barrel chest, looked into his eyes and he said ‘are you all right, son?’
“I really should’ve said at that point ‘Dave, is your toe all right?’ But it was a great memory for me; the only time I ever played against Dave Mackay and I shall never forget it.
“They all talk about this great courage he had – I think it’s unfair. All the papers and everything I’ve read is about this great courage he had and we all know he was the bravest man in the world, but he was a fantastic footballer; he was skilful.
“His personality, his intensity and his desire to win could make any team and he proved that by going to Derby County and winning the league there as a centre-back. He could play anywhere.
“He was a humble person and humility is laced by great people and I think that Dave embraced that thoroughly.
“He protected his modesty with a pride only a Scotsman can do and that has made me particularly proud of him.
“I think we’ve seen the passing of a true, great legend.”
