Hall of Fame - Gilzean
There have been some great forwards in Dundee's history but none have had a strike rate to match Alan Gilzean, the Coupar Angus born hit-man delivering 169 goals in 190 competitive appearances in the Club's colours after being persuaded by his father that Dundee were a better choice than boyhood heroes Hibs when the youngster had a choice of clubs with which to start his professional career.
Gilzean made his first team debut in a League Cup tie against Motherwell in August 1959 but had to wait until February of the following year to get another chance, making his league debut in a scoreless draw at Ibrox, the following week he scored his first goal and in the last five games of that season there were another seven goals from the youngster, and that was just a taste of what was to follow.
The following season saw Alan start in fine scoring form, he hammered home four hat-tricks in the first month of the campaign and hit 32 goals in 42 appearances, but it was in season 1961-62 that it all clicked for the Dark Blues with the arrival of Gordon Smith providing just the service that Gilzean thrived on.
Few players have scored four goals in one game against Rangers at Ibrox but 'Gillie' did so on a foggy November afternoon as the top of the table Dark Blues hammered their nearest rivals 5-1, and although Rangers fought back to lead the table going into the final weeks of the season by the time Dundee traveled to Muirton Park, Perth to face St Johnstone on the final day of the campaign and two goals from Gilzean with a third from Andy Penman brought the title to the City of Dundee.
The following season saw Dundee and Gilzean's fame spread throughout the Continent as they progressed to the European Cup semi finals, beating Cologne, Sporting Lisbon and Anderlecht before succumbing to Italian Champions and eventual winners AC Milan - Gilzean was, predictably, top scorer for the club in Europe - hitting nine goals in the Continent's premier tournament as part of a 41 goals in 43 games haul in all competitions as he proved he was one of the deadliest strikers on the planet.
There would be one more full campaign in Dark Blue for Gilzean, who would become a full International in November of 1963, and it was a season with goals aplenty for the striker.
52 goals in 48 games for Dundee came his way during that campaign - including two in a Scottish Cup semi final win over Kilmarnock that took Dundee into what would be remembered as one of the best ever Scottish Cup Finals, a game which thrilled a crowd of 120,982 with two late goals from Rangers breaking Dundee hearts after it looked like an inspired performance by Bert Slater had secured a replay.
Gilzean also scored his first international goal and it was a special moment for all who followed Drk Blue for club and country as 'Gillie' hit the winner against the 'Auld Enemy' as Scotland beat England 1-0. He scored twice as Scotland drew 2-2 with West Germany in Hanover in May of 1964 too and by now it was obvious that English clubs would come calling for his telents.
Gilzean would score five more times for Dundee in the early part of 1964-65 but an offer of £72,500 from Tottenham Hotspur in December of 1964 saw him move to London where he would enjoy more success, FA Cup and League Cup honours as well as an UEFA Cup winners medal coming his way down south.
