Inverness Caley Thistle asked to pay their respects to Brazilian football legend Pele on Monday

Scottish football is set to pay its respects to Pele, widely regarded as the game’s greatest-ever player, prior to matches at the weekend and on Monday.

The SPFL has written to all clubs suggesting a minute’s applause or other appropriate gesture be made prior to matches over the next few days.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle are scheduled to play Cove Rangers on Monday, January 2 at the Caledonian Stadium.

Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, said: “Scottish football fans appreciate skill, class and achievement, and no player in the game better typified those qualities than Pele.

“Arguments will rage forever about who is the greatest player but, for his sheer impact on the worldwide game and his achievements in winning three World Cups, it’s doubtful we will ever see his like again.

“To be able to look out over the national stadium and realise that this global icon graced the Hampden turf during a friendly with Scotland in 1966 is a humbling experience

“Everyone who appreciates all that is good about football - from his incomparable goalscoring prowess, his outrageous skill and his simple, overwhelming joy at playing the game - will recognise just what gap the great man’s passing has left.”

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