Pat Liney: Scotsman Article

[TheDarkBlues]

Dundee’s greatest XI loses goalkeeper; Pat Liney, title-winner and honorary club president, dies aged 86.

Forever listed first in the greatest team sheet in the club’s history. This is Pat Liney’s legacy as the goalkeeper in Dundee’s Scottish title-winning side of 1961-62.

In some ways, Liney, who has died aged 86, might be less well remembered by the wider football public on account of his absence from the Dens Park side’s thrilling run to the European Cup semi-final the following season.

He was replaced by Bert Slater, who manager Bob Shankly signed from brother Bill’s Liverpool. It was a surprising and controversial decision which took Liney, and his teammates, by surprise. “It was very hard on him,” recalls teammate Ian Ure.

After that, Liney’s departure from Dundee, for whom he made his debut against Rangers in a 1-0 win at Ibrox in 1958, was only a matter of time.

In the foreword to Dundee Greats by Jim Hendry, Craig Brown notes that the selection only includes ten players – and no goalkeeper. Brown continues: “It is safe to say that with the 10 outfield players comprising a team in Dark Blue there would be no need for a goalkeeper!”

Good though they were, Dundee’s title-winning team 60 years ago most definitely needed a goalkeeper. Indeed, whatever Shankly’s misgivings, Liney played a pivotal part. No more so than on the penultimate day of the season, when Dundee trailed leaders Rangers by a point.

With the Ibrox side trailing at Pittodrie, and Dundee 1-0 up v St Mirren, the season hinged on a late penalty award for the visitors at Dens Park. Liney – a St Mirren fan in his youth who left Dundee for the Buddies - was the beneficiary of some priceless Paisley intelligence.

Read the Rest of this article on the Scotsman News Paper.

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/international/dundees-greatest-xi-loses-goalkeeper-pat-liney-title-winner-and-honorary-club-president-dies-aged-86-3802822