Celtic legend John 'Dixie' Deans has died aged 79
Celtic legend Dixie Deans has sadly passed away at the age of 79. Born on July 30, 1946, Deans became a cornerstone of the Celtic team who won nine league titles in a row under the management of Jock Stein between 1965/66 and 1973/74.
John “Dixie” Deans, born in Johnstone in 1946, is remembered as one of Celtic’s most prolific and charismatic strikers of the early 1970s. Before arriving at Parkhead, Deans had already established a reputation as a powerful goalscorer at Motherwell, where his strength, aggression, and instinctive finishing made him one of the most feared forwards in Scottish football.
Deans joined Celtic in October 1971, at a time when Jock Stein’s side was dominating Scottish football. He made an immediate impact, scoring goals at an extraordinary rate.
Between 1971 and 1976, Deans won three league championships, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup after signing from Motherwell in October 1971 for £17,500. He broke many goal-scoring records during his time in the green and white hoops making post-war Celtic history by scoring six goals in a 7-0 victory over Partick Thistle in 1973. Only the great Jimmy McGrory had scored more goals for Celtic in a single game back in 1928 when he scored eight against Dunfermline.
Deans is also the only player in Scottish football history to twice score a hat trick in a major cup final, achieving the feat in the 1972 Scottish Cup final and the 1974 Scottish League Cup final, both against Hibernian.
Deans moved to Luton Town in 1976, joining Adelaide United, Carlisle United and Partick Thistle before he retired from playing in 1980. He was a regular matchday hospitality host at Celtic Park doing the lounges with Evan Williams, Tommy Callaghan and George McCluskey.
In a statement, Celtic Football Club said: “Everyone at Celtic Football Club is deeply saddened at the news that Celtic legend and goalscoring hero, Dixie Deans has sadly passed away at the age of 79.
“Born John Kelly Deans in Johnstone on July 30, 1946, the striker made his name with Motherwell in the late 1960s, and his lethal eye for goal caught the interest of the great Jock Stein who snapped him up for Celtic in October, 1971 in a move that caught the attention of the public.
“He immediately made an impact in the side and quickly became a fans’ favourite amid a side that featured the majority of the Lisbon Lions and the new breed of the Quality Street Gang taking Scottish football by storm – that was no easy feat for any incoming player.
“Dixie’s goalscoring became the stuff of legend, scoring hat-tricks in both the Scottish Cup final of 1972 and 1974’s League Cup final, with Hibernian being the unlucky opponents on both occasions with scorelines of 6-1 and 6-3 respectively.
“He also holds the post-war record for goals in one game, scoring six in a 7-0 defeat of Partick Thistle in November 1973 – a game watched by earlier Celtic scoring legend, Jimmy McGrory who thought his all-time record of eight goals in one game was under threat.
“Dixie remained at Celtic until 1976, after scoring 124 goals in 184 Celtic games, and such was his standing with the support, in his later years he was a much-valued and loved member of the matchday hospitality former players for all home games.”
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell 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.”
Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson said: “Every Celtic supporter will be saddened by this news and I know that the thoughts of the whole Celtic Family will be with Dixie’s family at this time.
“Dixie was always a Celtic supporter, and his fellow fans recognised and loved that about him, as well as appreciating his talents as a player and what he did throughout his time wearing the Hoops.
“To say his goalscoring record was impressive is an understatement, and he will always be remembered as a true Celtic great.”
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Park are with Dixie’s family at this very sad time.”
His other former side Motherwell Football Club said: "Deans will be remembered fondly for his exquisite goalscoring form at Fir Park. He passes away aged 79 years old, and our thoughts are with his family and friends during this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, Dixie."