Ex-Morton player who scored a famous goal against Celtic which was controversially chalked off has died

Tributes have been paid to ex-Danish international Carl Bertelsen, who has passed away at the age of 81.

He had been suffering from Alzheimer's for several years.

Bertelsen was lured to Morton by Hal Stewart and was part of the famous 'Danish invasion' in the 1960s.

The fast forward, nicknamed the 'Tornado', also starred for Kilmarnock, Dundee and Esbjerg, Odense and Haderslev in his native Denmark.

He won 21 caps for his national side, including an appearance against the USSR in the semi-finals of the 1964 European Championships.

Bertelsen arrived in Greenock in July of that year and went on to make 41 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals.

He is arguably most famous for a last-gasp 'winner' against Celtic at Cappielow on January 23, 1965 which was controversially ruled out and almost overshadowed the death of Winston Churchill.

The Ton bravely fought back from three-nil down, thanks to two superb strikes from Bertelsen and a header from Hugh Strachan. In one last-ditch effort to secure the win, Eric Smith launched the ball into the Hoops' penalty area and the Danish striker lashed home.

But the celebrations were short-lived as the referee said time had already been called.

Ton legend Allan McGraw, who played alongside Bertelsen, paid tribute to him.

He said: "He scored against Celtic and we believed it was the winner but the referee said he blew for time up when the ball was mid-way in the air.

"That went down like a lead balloon. "Carl was a good player, very fast and a nice man.

"He was a very quiet boy but such a speedy player.

"He was lovely to talk to and a lovely man to be with.

"It's sad to hear of his passing."

Friends in Denmark told the Telegraph Carl played football until he was 70, running out for his local side.

A school teacher by profession, Bertelsen was sold by Morton to Dundee for £10,000 in August '65 and moved to Kilmarnock the following year.

He made his final appearance for Killie in the semi-final of the European Fair Cities Cup at Rugby Park against Leeds United in May 1967 before returning home.

The son of a grocer, Bertelsen was born on November 15, 1937, in the coastal town of Haderslev in southeast Denmark.

He joined his hometown club and later moved to Esbjerg.

During his classroom career, Bertelsen taught physics, maths and PE.

Following retirement from football, friends say he lived a quiet life with his wife and family and rarely spoke about his football exploits, which also included playing in a Scandinavia versus the 'rest of Europe' match alongside greats such as Eusebio, Denis Law, Jim Baxter, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves shortly before signing for Morton.

Bertelsen's funeral will take place in Denmark today.