20 Hardest Football Hardmen Of All Time

By Sean Mills /

8. Dave Mackay

Stated by George Best as the hardest player he had ever played against, Dave Mackay had it all. Famed for his slide tackle, and coming back from two €˜career-ending€™ injuries, he was described as Spurs€™ greatest ever player by Brian Clough in 2003. One of the most combative players of his era, Mackay was part of the Spurs double winning side of 1961, and the famous image of him grabbing fellow Scottish hard-man Billy Bremner by the shirt showcases his fierce determination. Due to his exploits as both player and manager, Mackay was an inaugural inductee into both the English and Hearts halls of fame.