CELTIC have paid tribute to former player Duncan MacKay who has died at 82.

The Parkhead side announced the death of the player who was affectionately known as Dunky on Boxing Day.

The Glasgow-born footballer played for the Hoops between 1955 and 1964. During that spell he made 236 appearances scoring seven goals.

The right-back made his debut on August 1958 in a League Cup tie against Clyde at Shawfield in a game which Celtic won 4-1.

In a statement Celtic FC said: "A highly-rated defender who was an early exponent of the attacking full-back role later honed by the likes of Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig, Dunky MacKay was a firm fans’ favourite and his leadership qualities were identified by Jimmy McGrory, who made him captain in 1961, succeeding Bertie Peacock as skipper.

"He would later pass on the captain’s armband to Billy McNeill for the start of the 1963/64 season.

"In November 1984, he moved to Third Lanark, before heading out to Australia where he would eventually settle after a brief return to Scotland. He also gained 14 caps for Scotland during his playing career.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Duncan’s family and friends at this very sad time."

Celtic said their players would wear black armbands as mark of respect during the St Mirren game.