When Sir Alex Ferguson described Dave Mackay as ‘the bravest man in the world’ it was enough to make the eyes water. Not just with tears but also from the wincing recollections which that sentence invoked among the wonderful old footballers gathered in Edinburgh to pay their last respects to a legend of the British game when it was at its most heroic. Ferguson’s was among the more thunderous of the personal reminiscences at Mackay’s funeral. Sir Alex Ferguson gave a moving tribute to ex-Tottenham enforcer Dave Mackay at his funeral on Tuesday . Ferguson arrived at Hearts' Tynecastle earlier in the afternoon prior to leading the tributes . Ferguson was in distinguished company, with former Manchester United man Denis Law (back) also present . Supporters lined the streets of Edinburgh to give the former midfielder the send-off he deserved . Pat Jennings (middle) was Tottenham Hotspur's representative at the Mansfield Traquair Centre . The hearse carrying Mackay's coffin was complete with flowers and a football to mark his passing . The cortege leaves Hearts' stadium as the city were given the opportunity to pay their final respects . The order of service for Mackay's funeral . Ferguson’s was among the more thunderous of the personal reminiscences at Mackay’s funeral. 'I was playing for Queen’s Park reserves at Tynecastle and the great Mackay was playing for Hearts reserves because he was coming back from a broken toe,' said Fergie, himself hardly a wilting flower of Scotland in the physical challenges. 'He tackled me and I thought "Christ". But in those days you had to get up. So I got up and had a look at that big barrel chest of his. He just said "are you alright, son?" 'The only time I played against Dave Mackay. I’ll never forget it.’ No-one at Heart of Midlothian, who Mackay captained to all three major domestic honours, will ever forget him either. Hundreds of Hearts loyalists lined the route of his final journey from the old ground, in company with the players and staff who have just restored the club to the Scottish Premier League. At Mansfield Traquiar, the former Catholic Church converted into an ornate, stained glass venue for grand occasions like this, Sir Alex described Mackay as not only brave but ‘humble'. The iconic image of Mackay confronting Billy Bremner of Leeds during in August 1966 . Manchester City's Mike Summerbee grabs hold of Mackay during a 1968 Division One match . Mackay pictured during a training session at Tottenham's White Hart Lane ground in 1967 . Click here to read Jeff Powell's tribute to Dave Mackay: Enshrined in Tottenham folklore as 'the heartbeat', his iron man demeanour obscured a cultured player adored by the fans he entertained. He added: ‘Humility is embraced by great people and Dave Mackay did that thoroughly.’ This was not an entirely Scottish homage. Mackay won not only his homeland’s Footballer of the Year Award but also its English equivalent. The latter recognised his captaining of a quite wondrous Spurs team to the first post-war League and Cup double. The bravest man in the world? Unquestionably one of the bravest in the world of football. He came back from breaking the same leg twice – both horrific fractures – to inspire FA Cup ‘glory, glory’ for Tottenham Hotspur. The humblest? Perhaps his modesty worked against him attracting the attention of those who selected the Scotland team back in the hey-day. ‘Only 22 caps for a player as good as that?’ Ferguson lamented. ‘Scotland was picked by a committee with its head in the sand.’ A Mackay scarf displayed in the back of a car in respect of the former Scotland international . Denis Law, Frank McLintock, Ian St John, Bertie Auld and John Robertson were among other Scottish icons nodding in accord. From way south of the border came these Spurs celebrants of 80 years lived with uncompromising gallantry on the pitch and uncommon courtesy off it – Pat Jennings, Cliff Jones, Terry Medwin, Alan Mullery, Alan Gilzean, Steve Perryman, Mike England, Clive Allen. Pick a team from those two glittering histories. But when so doing reflect on something else spoken by Ferguson: ‘They talk about his great courage but he was a fantastic, skilful footballer whose intensity and desire to win would make any team.’ And keep a place for Dave Mackay.
Dave Mackay's funeral was held in Edinburgh on Tuesday . Former Tottenham and Hearts midfielder died earlier this month aged 80 . Ferguson said Mackay was 'humble' and 'modest'
Ex-Manchester United boss also questioned why Mackay only managed to earn 22 caps for Scotland .