Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen has died

The Scottish former central defender of Manchester United and Leeds has passed away at the age of 70. Gordon McQueenwho was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and dementia in 2021.

Starting his career with St Mirren, McQueen was sold to Leeds and went on to win the English league title in 1974, the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1983, while playing 30 times for Scotland. He was in the squad for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, but did not participate in the latter due to injury.

McQueen scored three times in Leeds’ run to the 1975 Champions Cup final, but was suspended in the 2-0 final defeat by Bayern Munich. He was also in the Manchester United team that lost the 1979 FA Cup Final to Arsenal, but scored in the 3-2 defeat at Wembley.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Gordon who passed away at home early this morning leaving behind his wife Yvonne, daughters Hayley and Anna, son Eddie and his beloved grandchildren Rudy, Etta and Isla“, said a statement from the family.

“We hope that, as well as creating many great football memories, he will be remembered more for his character. Our home was always full of friends, family and football, as it was in his final months as he fought so bravely a very hard battle against dementia. The disease may have taken him too soon, but he certainly lived life to the fullest, the absolute heart and soul of every occasion, the most fun dad anyone could wish for“, he added.

McQueen was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2012. He made his Scotland debut against Belgium in 1974, scoring five goals.

He made 57 appearances for St Mirren, 140 in six years with Leeds and 184 in seven with Manchester United. He then went to Hong Kong before turning to coaching and then becoming a TV football pundit.