KENNY DALGLISH was described as “Scottish football’s hero” by national team manager Alex McLeish after the country’s most successful footballer was given a knighthood.

The 57-year-old former Celtic and Liverpool player has been made a sir for his service to football, charity and his work with the Hillsborough families in the successful campaign to clear 96 who died of any blame for the tragedy,

McLeish played with Dalglish for Scotland many times, including two victorious World Cup qualifying campaigns, and he insisted his former team-mate and friend sits above ever other Scot to have played the game.

“It’s great news for Kenny and it’s thoroughly deserved,” said McLeish. “I think he is probably most peoples’ hero. I’m delighted for him and I’m sure the country is proud.

“What can you say about the man as a footballer, really. He had everything. I am always asked who the best I played with was and it’s Kenny. Of course. His technical ability, his brilliant goals, the will to win makes him Scotland’s best.

“What I would give to have a Kenny Dalglish right now. It was an honour to play alongside the great man and it is an honour to know him.”

Dalglish’s achievements on the pitch have arguably been eclipsed by his work over the years helping the ‘Justice for the 96’ campaign.

"I am always asked who the best I ever played with was and it’s Kenny. Of course. His technical ability, his brilliant goals, the will to win makes him Scotland’s best.

“What I would give to have a Kenny Dalglish right now. It was an honour to play alongside the great man and it is an honour to know him.”

Dalglish’s achievements on the pitch have arguably been eclipsed by his work over the years helping the ‘Justice for the 96’ campaign.

And McLeish paid tribute to his fellow Hampden Hall of Fame member for the work he did away from the football pitch.

"I think people sometimes forget Kenny took over as manager of Liverpool in the aftermath of Heysel, which could not have been easy," he said.

"And then the way he dealt with Hillsborough, he had so much dignity and kept that club and city together. He was amazing. I'm sure this was a huge factor in him being knighted and so it should be."

McLeish revealed that even in 1984, as a seasoned professional who had won everything with Aberdeen, Dalglish was someone he still looked up to.

"The night we beat Spain 3-1 and he scored to equal Denis Law's record was the first time I thought he felt was a half decent player," recalled McLeish.

"He asked me after the game if my wife was in Glasgow, which she was, and he invited us to go to his father-in-law's pub with Marina his wife. I had never been out with him before.

"I couldn't believe it. It was a great night and I'm sitting there thinking: 'wow, Kenny Dalglish is my pal.'"