John Deans dead: Celtic and Motherwell legend nicknamed Dixie dies age 79 - do we know his cause of death?
Celtic and Motherwell legend John “Dixie” Deans has died at 79.
Deans, who earned two Scotland caps, became one of the most reliable scorers of the 1960s and 70s with Motherwell and then Celtic. He won six major trophies during his time in Glasgow.
He began at Neilston Juniors and picked up the nickname ‘Dixie’ after the Everton striker Dixie Dean. The comparison stuck once he scored 60 goals in a single season.
Motherwell signed him in 1965. He kept scoring there too, finishing with 89 goals in 198 games and helping the club win the Second Division title in 1968–69.
A spokesperson for the Scottish 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.”
Deans’ cause of death has not been publicly disclosed at the time of publication.
His spell at Fir Park included several red cards, but that didn’t stop Jock Stein from taking him to Celtic in 1971 after the shock 4–1 League Cup final loss to Partick Thistle. At Celtic, his discipline settled and his finishing never dipped. He struck up a strong partnership with Kenny Dalglish.
Deans scored hat-tricks in both the 1972 Scottish Cup final and the 1974 League Cup final, each against Hibernian. Many fans also remember the penalty he missed in the shootout against Inter Milan during the 1972 European Cup semi-final.
He left for Luton Town in 1976 after scoring 124 goals in 184 Celtic appearances. He later played for Adelaide United, Carlisle United and Partick Thistle before retiring in 1980.