Tributes have been paid to former Celtic player and coach Sean Fallon who has died at the age of 90.

Fallon made more than 250 appearances for Celtic during the 1950s and was assistant manager to Jock Stein throughout the most successful spell in the club's history.

The club announced on their Twitter feed: "Celtic legend Sean Fallon has died peacefully at the age of 90. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "This is very, very sad news and our thoughts are with Sean's wife, Myra, their children Marie-Therese, Louise, Collette, Siobhan, Sean and Sinead, and all of Sean's family and many friends.

"Sean Fallon was a Celtic legend who devoted much of his life to the club he loved. He was, of course, a supporter, first and foremost, and he was proud to have worn the green and white hoops that he loved.

"He did so with fearless distinction over eight years in the 1950s, and Sean was at the heart of all of our triumphs, including that famous 7-1 League Cup victory in 1957. Ten years later, he was part of our greatest ever success, winning the European Cup in Lisbon. Working alongside Jock Stein, Sean helped to deliver that trophy, along with nine consecutive league titles and numerous other trophies.

"He was a gentleman, and always a welcome guest here at Celtic Park. And there could have been no more fitting person to unveil the championship flag at this start of this, our 125th anniversary season, than a man who gave so much to Celtic Football Club."

Celtic manager, Neil Lennon said: "We are all shocked and saddened to hear of Sean's death, and the thoughts of all the players and management are with his family.

"He was always a very humble man when you met him, even though his achievements in the game were extraordinary."

Celtic's European Cup-winning goal hero Steve Chalmers also paid tribute.

Chalmers, 76, said: "Sean was a great, great man – a complete gentleman. Everything he did, every part of his life, was all about Celtic.

"I remember after the European Cup final that our captain Billy McNeill was trying to get up to the platform to accept the trophy, but there were thousands of Celtic fans desperate to touch Billy or the trophy.

"Sean got hold of Billy and acted like his bodyguard, pushing him through the crowds."