Gordon McQueen, former Scotland defender, dies aged 70

Gordon McQueen, the former Leeds United and Manchester United defender, who won 30 caps for Scotland, has died at the age of 70.

The towering centre-half came to prominence in the outstanding Leeds team of the mid-1970s. He was bought from St Mirren in 1972 and eventually took the place of 1966 World Cup winner Jack Charlton, after Charlton’s retirement and Paul Madeley’s shift from defence.

McQueen was at the heart of the team for most of the 1973-74 campaign when Leeds won the league championship after beginning with a run of 29 matches without defeat.

McQueen moved to arch-rivals Manchester United in 1978, commenting at the time in the face of heavy criticism from Leeds fans that “99% of players want to play for Manchester United and the rest are liars”.

He added the FA Cup to his trophy cabinet in 1983 there before ending his playing days in Hong Kong with Seiko in 1986. He also managed Airdrieonians for a short period in the late-1980s.

McQueen was diagnosed with dementia in 2021, with his family saying he feared that heading a ball repeatedly may have been a factor.

His daughter Hayley McQueen wrote on Instagram: “Beyond heartbroken to announce we have lost our wonderful dad, I thought when the day came I’d be prepared & feel a sense of relief that he is no longer trying to battle this awful disease but I just feel numb. I’m hoping we can now remember him for the man he was & not the man he became this last few years.” She described him as “the ultimate entertainer, the life and soul of every occasion, the greatest storyteller who certainly lived life to the full”.

More details to follow …