A COWDENBEATH born footballer who went on to become a great with both Dunfermline Athletic and Celtic has passed away.

Tommy Callaghan, who was 78, died early this morning and he has been remembered as a "true club great" by the Pars.

He was signed by the East End Park club by Jock Stein in 1962 from Lochore Welfare, where he spent six successful years, culminating in winning the Scottish Cup in 1968.

Later that year, he went on to join Celtic, with Stein as manager, and Tommy famously became the only player that he signed twice.

During a trophy-laden spell with the Hoops, Tommy won six Scottish league titles, five Scottish Cups, and three League Cups, before he moved on to Clydebank and, latterly, Galway Rovers.

Tommy, and his brother, Willie, became regulars in the Dunfermline side after his arrival, and his influence on the team grew, particularly in European matches, in which the wing half had a record of scoring five goals in 14 ties.

Despite suffering a broken leg in 1966, sidelining him for three months, Tommy returned to play a major role in Athletic's road to Hampden in 1968.

He played in the final, alongside his sibling, as the side captained by Roy Barry defeated Heart of Midlothian 3-1 to bring the trophy back to East End Park for a second time, following their triumph seven years earlier under Stein, against Celtic.

In the November following that success, Tommy, after 204 appearances, was on his way to Celtic Park and to work once more under Stein, for a fee of £35,000.

He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Partick Thistle, the first of 34 goals he scored in 264 Hoops appearances, prior to joining Clydebank in 1976.

Paying tribute, the Pars said: "Everyone at Dunfermline Athletic was hugely saddened to learn of the passing of a true club great, Tommy Callaghan.

"Signed by Jock Stein from Lochore Welfare in 1962, Tom was initially considered to be a winger when he first came into the squad, but soon found himself playing at wing half.

"Alongside his brother, Willie, the pair became regulars in the side. Tom`s influence on the side grew, particularly in European matches. He was a player who seemed suited to these games, as his record of five goals in fourteen European ties shows.

"Tommy was also famously part of the 1968 Scottish Cup winning side, immortalising himself among the greats of the club.

"In November 1968 Tom left Dunfermline, joining Celtic for a then record fee for the Glasgow club of £35,000, going on to play a major role for Celtic during their glory years. He famously became the only player Jock Stein signed twice.

"Everyone at the club shares their condolences with the family, friends and team mates of Tommy at this difficult time."

Tommy continued to attend matches regularly at Celtic Park, where he was a matchday host, and the Hoops said: "Everyone at Celtic Park was saddened to hear that former player, Tommy Callaghan passed away early this morning (Friday) at the age of 78.

"His heart was always at Celtic Park and he was still a regular at every game as a matchday host with the club.

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic Football Club are with Tommy’s friends and family at this sad time."

Dunfermline's players will wear black armbands in memory of Tommy during tomorrow's SPFL Championship match at Falkirk, with the club also planning to release a full tribute ahead of the home match with Livingston on Tuesday evening.