Sir Alex Ferguson hails decorated career of Spurs legend Dave Mackay

Posted Wednesday, March 04, 2015 by skysports.com

Sir Alex Ferguson hails decorated career of Spurs legend Dave Mackay
Bill Nicholson and Dave Mackay were at heart of Tottenham's glory days in the 1960s

Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the decorated career of Dave Mackay as tributes continued for the former Tottenham, Derby, Hearts and Scotland midfielder.

Mackay died in hospital in Nottingham on Monday night after a long illness, aged 80, and Ferguson joined the rest of the football community in praising his Scottish compatriot, hailing the Edinburgh-born legendary Spurs midfielder as one of the country's best-ever players.

Having moved to north London from boyhood club Hearts in 1959 for £32,000, Mackay went on to help achieve a historic league and FA Cup domestic double under the guidance of manager Bill Nicholson in 1961.

Tottenham are set to hold a minute's applause on Wednesday for their former captain, who also helped Derby to success as a player and coach before taking up a similar role with Swindon

Ferguson, the most decorated British manager in history after leading Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, told Sky Sports News HQ: "To my mind he's one of the greatest Scottish players of all time and also one of Tottenham's along with [Danny] Blanchflower, Cliff Jones and John White - an incredibly good team.

"I think he was the pinnacle of the [Spurs double-winning] side, a fantastic signing from Hearts.

"I played against him once, and I'm glad it was only once, He was one of the hardest men of all time.

"[He was] a great Scottish player. You think of Denis Law, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, but Dave Mackay is along with them."

Great career

Old Trafford's own departed legend George Best once described tough-teak Scot Mackay as one of the "hardest but bravest" opponents he had encountered.

And Ferguson added: "Absolutely. He came back from two broken legs, he broke it against Manchester United actually and in the recovery he broke it again. That didn't deter him.

"He went on to play for Derby County, they won the league and became their manager, which was not an easy task to follow Brian Clough of course, and then have a spell at Nottingham Forest.

"So he had a great career both as a player and a manager."

Spurs will hold their minute's applause ahead of Wednesday night's Premier League game against Swansea at White Hart Lane, with black armbands being worn by the squad and a number of the club's highest-profile former players paying tribute to Mackay at half-time.

Current Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is anticipating an emotional occasion for the evening kick-off, saying: "It is a great loss for British football. He was a legend for Tottenham and in British football.

"A very sad day and I want to send condolences to his family and friends.

"He is a legend, big player and manager, and it is a very sad day. It is emotional yes. Our players know it is important to get the three points."