McQUEEN OF DIAMONDS

One-in-a-million Gordon brought laughter into lives of everyone he met says Burley

- SCOTT BURNS

IRREPLACEABLE and irrepressible. Gordon McQueen always got the last laugh. And the last touch.

A giant of a man and a player who starred for two of football's biggest clubs of that era in Leeds and Manchester United, McQueen stood head and shoulders above so many of his opponents.

But such was his warm and generous spirit, he never made you feel small.

George Burley was just one of the many whose life was enriched by knowing the Scotland great.

He laughed along with his team-mate as Scotland stars and also when playing against him for Ipswich.

For Burley, McQueen was "one in a million".

The former Scotland boss said: "I know Gordon had been very ill and it was really sad to hear the news that he had passed away.

'Gordon was a massive, big, strong player and one of the funniest people I have ever met.

"He was always laughing and joking. As an individual, you couldn't have met anyone nicer.

"He was big pals with Joe Jordan. They were thick as thieves and always ran around together.

"Gordon was the one to watch though with his jokes and pranks.

"He was always looking at ways to make people laugh and smile.

"Everyone loved him. He was one in a million really.