Former Albion Rovers defender Duncan Shields has been described as a “smashing big guy” following his tragic death, aged 73.
Dumbarton-born Shields made more than 170 appearances for the Coatbridge club in two spells, scoring 22 goals.
Shields signed at Cliftonhill in 1973 and stayed until 1979, during which time he made 158 appearances and scored 18 goals.
He rejoined Rovers in 1981 and stayed for a year, playing a further 14 games, scoring four times.
Albion Rovers announced his death on Boxing Day, following a battle against leukaemia.
Ex-Celtic striker Ray Franchetti, 70, who played for Rovers from 1975 to 78, says Shields is as honest a man as you could meet.
He said: “He was a big, handy bit of stuff. Duncan was a good pal of mine right up until he died there.
“Since we played we’ve kept in touch, and would go out for meals. We were friends.
“I was at his 70th birthday party, he was at mine, and we kept really close.
“He was probably one of the most honest big guys you could ever meet, a smashing big guy.
“He was wholehearted in everything he did. He was a leader, he was a captain of the team, and he got respect off of everybody.
“Duncan was the kind of guy you wanted in your team and he was the first name on the team-sheet.
“He was terrific in the air. If we were struggling, they would pull him forward and he would try to dig you out of a hole.”
Ray added: “If you weren’t pulling your weight he wasn’t long in letting you know.
“The fans sang ‘Six-foot-two, eyes are blue, big, bad Duncy’s after you’ – he was something else.
“Duncan and I kept in touch, we were out for a meal last month and he had been given the all-clear, but just took a right bad turn.
“He will be sadly missed.”
Shields also played for Stranraer in two spells, Queen of the South, and had several stints at junior level with clubs including Kilsyth Rangers, Maryhill and Baillieston.
Rovers paid tribute to a “club legend” and “cult hero”, adding: “Duncan was a mainstay of the Rovers defence of the 1970s and made over 150 appearances for the club.
“Our thoughts are with his family and all of those who knew him at this sad time.”
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