Celtic Club and Motherwell iconic legend John ‘Dixie’ Deans passed away this week aged 79.
Twice capped by Scotland, Dean was a noted goalscorer for both Motherwell and Celtic in the 1960s and 1970s.
He won six major honors with ‘The Hoops’ (Celtic) during an incredible career that spanned several sides.
He started his career at Neilston Juniors and was nicknamed after former Everton and England striker Dixie Dean for his scoring exploits, including 60 in one season.
A move to Motherwell followed in 1965, where he continued to find the back of the net regularly – 89 times in 198 appearances – and won the Second Division title in 1968–69.
He received several red cards during his time at Fir Park, but Celtic boss Jock Stein was not deterred from bringing Deans to Celtic in 1971 after the surprise 4-1 League Cup final defeat to Partick Thistle.
His discipline improved but the scoring streak continued as Deans combined with fellow striker Kenny Dalglish with great success.
He scored a hat-trick in the 1972 Scottish Cup Final and the 1974 League Cup Final, both in wins against Hibernian, but he is also remembered for missing the crucial penalty in Celtic’s 1972 European Cup semi-final shootout defeat to Inter Milan.
Deans moved to Luton Town in 1976, having scored 124 goals in 184 appearances in green and white.
Further spells at Adelaide United, Carlisle United and Partick Thistle followed before he retired from playing in 1980.
In a statement, Motherwell said: “Deans will be fondly remembered for his outstanding goalscoring form at Fir Park.
“He passes away at the age of 79 and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
Both the club and its fans are pouring in for the football legend.
The club wrote: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is deeply saddened by the news that Celtic legend and goalscorer Dixie Deans has sadly passed away at the age of 79.”
“Rest in peace, Dixie.”
