ONE of Scottish football's legendary hardmen, the former Hearts and Tottenham Hotspur footballer Dave Mackay, has died at the age of 80.

Tributes came flooding in from both sides of the Border as news of his death emerged.

Supporters movement Foundation of Hearts said: "The Hearts family has lost a true giant tonight. Well respected throughout football but his heart was always in Gorgie. RIP Dave Mackay."

Spurs also issued a lengthy statement.

Mackay, who was born in Edinburgh, enjoyed a glittering career on the football pitch, winning 22 caps for Scotland and playing in the 1958 World Cup.

He was playing for Hearts when they lifted the Scottish Cup and after he was signed by Spurs, for £32,000, they became the first English club in the 20th century to win the league and cup double.

In one of the most famous images of footballing history, Mackay was photographed during one match grabbing Leeds United's Billy Bremner by the scruff of his neck.

He had only just got back to the game after recovering from a broken leg, inflicted by Manchester United's Noel Cantwell, when he was involved in the scuffle with Bremner.

He later said he "couldn't stand" the picture. "It portrays me as being a bully," he said. "It makes me look like Desperate Dan on steroids."

He had actually broken his leg twice before the game.

He later said: He didn't do any serious damage, but I was so angry with him I grabbed him by the jersey. I could have knocked out an elephant never mind wee Billy Bremner. If he had broken it again it would have been the treble. And I would really have strangled him then.

"I had the highest regard for Billy. He was a fantastic player, a true great.

I went to his funeral because I had the greatest respect for the guy. But Billy became a different man when he pulled a Leeds United shirt on. "When people see this photograph they always ask me: "What did you say to him?" The honest truth is that I haven't got a clue. I can't remember, but I'm sure I had one or two choice words."

Spurs said their statement: " We were saddened to hear of the death of our former captain Dave Mackay who passed away at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, this evening (Monday, March 2). He was 80.

"Dave was one of the most influential players of his era and was already an established Scotland international when he joined us from Hearts in March, 1959.

"Mackay won all three Scottish domestic honours - and was also voted Scotland's 'Player of the Year' - while with Hearts and was renowned for his fierce determination, enthusiasm, power, commitment and bravery.

"He was a superb player who possessed all the technique, passing ability and talent to be the complete footballer.

"He was the heart-beat of our 1961 'Double' side, was then a key member of the team that retained the FA Cup the following season and, although injury kept him out of our 1963 European Cup Winners' Cup final triumph, he had played a vital role in getting us there.

"He formed a marvellous midfield combination with Danny Blanchflower and, when the Northern Ireland international left us in 1964, Mackay took over as Spurs captain and led us to another FA Cup triumph in 1967. He twice broke the same leg in our cause but, each time, came back stronger than ever.

"Dave left us for Derby County in July, 1968, and was named joint 'Footballer of the Year' the following season, along with Tony Book.  He would return to Derby as manager and lead them to the League title in 1975.

"George Best once described him as: "The hardest man I have ever played against - and certainly the bravest."

"Dave Mackay will certainly always be remembered here as one of our greatest ever players and a man who never failed to inspire those around him.

"We extend our condolences to the Mackay family at this sad time."

Recounting the scuffle with Bremner, he said: "I went in for a challenge with Billy Bremner and pushed him over. He got up, ran round behind my back and kicked me on my left leg. He knew exactly which one it was that I had broken.

"He didn't do any serious damage, but I was so angry with him I grabbed him by the jersey. I could have knocked out an elephant never mind wee Billy Bremner. If he had broken it again it would have been the treble. And I would really have strangled him then.

"I had the highest regard for Billy. He was a fantastic player, a true great. But Billy became a different man when he pulled a Leeds United shirt on."

Mackay was brought to Derby in 1968 by Brian Clough and he was named footballer of the year the following season.

He went on to pursue a career as a manager, later returning to Derby and guiding the club to the league title in 1975. His later career took him to Kuwait and Egypt as well as two teams closer to home, Doncaster and Birmingham.

In recent years he hit the headlines again after suing the makers of the film, The Damned United, over a claim he was inaccurately portrayed on the silver screen.

The film, starring Michael Sheen, shows Mackay trying to break the revolt of the players who were backing Clough after he resigned from Derby County. Mackay had actually left Derby at the time of the incident.

Mackay, who won damages and an apology from the film-makers, later told a newspaper: "They twisted it. I would never have done anything that was disloyal (to Brian Clough)."

In an interview with The Herald and Evening Times 10 years ago, Mackay said that while winning the double with Spurs in 1961 was "special", winning the league with Hearts in 1958 was "even better". "I was a Jambos fan from when I was a little boy," he said.