CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers has described Dunfermline great Tommy Callaghan as "a real legend" of the Glasgow club following his death at the age of 78.

On Friday, it was announced that Tommy, a Scottish Cup winner with the Pars in 1968, had passed away.

Born in Cowdenbeath, he was signed for Athletic, where he played alongside brother, Willie, by Jock Stein, from Lochore Welfare, in 1962, and spent six years at East End Park.

He played in the Scottish Cup final success over Heart of Midlothian, the second time Dunfermline lifted the trophy, "immortalising himself among the greats of the club" in the process.

READ MORE: Dunfermline Athletic mourn death of 'true club great' Tommy Callaghan

After 204 appearances, he left for Celtic in November of 1968, who paid a then record fee of £35,000 for services.

Famously becoming the only player Stein, who took over at Celtic Park in 1965, signed twice, Tommy went on to enjoy great success with the Hoops.

He won six Scottish league titles, a further five Scottish Cup trophies, and the League Cup three times, and scored 34 goals in 264 games.

He left Celtic in 1976 for Clydebank, before ending his career with Galway Rovers, with whom he also had a short spell as manager.

The Hoops said that Tommy's "heart was always at Celtic Park and he was still a regular at every game as a matchday host with the club", and current boss Rodgers today paid tribute.

"I had a message this morning from young Tommy, his son, to say his dad had passed away, so all our thoughts and condolences are with Tommy," he said.

"I think any player that’s been signed twice by Jock Stein tells you how good a player he was and it’s always sad. I bumped into Tommy only a few weeks back.

"A sad day but a real legend of the club and all our thoughts are with his family."