Former Celtic and Motherwell star John ‘Dixie’ Deans dies aged 79

Legendary Celtic and Motherwell player John ‘Dixie’ Deans has died aged 79.

Tributes are being paid to the former forward, who was also capped twice by Scotland, following the announcement of his death on Tuesday.

Born John Deans, his goalscoring exploits led to him picking up the nickname Dixie after the famous Everton striker Dixie Dean.

Deans made his first team debut for Motherwell as a teenager in 1965, before going on to score 89 goals in 198 appearances for the Steelmen.

He moved to Celtic in a deal worth £17,500 in 1971, and scored 125 goals in 186 games for the Hoops.

During his time at Celtic Park, he set goal-scoring records that still stand today, including being the only player to score a hat-trick in both domestic cup finals, a feat he achieved in the 1972 Scottish Cup and 1974 League Cup.

His six goals in a single game against Partick Thistle is a post-war record.

Deans also missed a decisive spot kick in a European Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out loss to Inter Milan in 1972, just days before netting a hat-trick in that season’s Scottish Cup final.

After leaving Parkhead, he had short spells at Luton Town, Carlisle United and Partick Thistle, before moving to Australia, where he played for Adelaide City.

In a social media post, Motherwell said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player John ‘Dixie’ Deans.

“The thoughts and condolences of everyone at Motherwell FC are with Dixie’s family and close friends at this very sad time.”

In a statement released by Celtic, club chairman Peter Lawwell paid tribute to “great Celt”.

He said: “This is extremely sad news and I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Dixie’s family and friends.

“Dixie was a great Celt and one of the finest goalscorers ever to have played for the club.

“I was fortunate enough to have watched him play throughout his career and he played his part in the successes we enjoyed in the 1970s, not least in those unforgettable hat-tricks he scored against Hibs in two cup finals at Hampden.

“I was even more fortunate to get to know him personally over the past few years, and it was always great to meet him here at Celtic Park on a matchday.

“What was always clear was his real love of Celtic and also the love that supporters had for him too.”