The 35-year-old collapsed towards the end of the club's 5-3 win at Fir Park on Saturday and died later in hospital.

His family said they are "devastated" by his tragic death, and Motherwell manager Mark McGhee described the popular skipper as "a man among boys".

Mourners flocked to the gates of the stadium to lay scarves, strips, pictures and flowers in tribute to the former Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic and Scotland player, who was married with four children.

Mr McGhee read out a statement from the player's father, Bernard O'Donnell, on behalf of the family outside the ground.

"None of us yet can comprehend what has happened," Mr McGhee read, flanked by his assistant, Scott Leitch.

"But we have been overwhelmed by the support and messages from people inside and outside the football world. We are grateful for all the support received. In the meantime we'd appreciate our privacy is respected and we're given time to grieve."

Mr McGhee added that the players, fans and executives at the club were all left "devastated and absolutely dumbfounded" by the player's death.

"We're going to miss a guy who was a fine man, a guy who was a fantastic example to all of his colleagues. He was a man among boys in every sense of the word in his attitude and professionalism and integrity and sincerity," he said.

First Minister Alex Salmond also offered his condolences, describing the player's death as a "huge blow to Scottish football".