Alan Hansen is ‘seriously ill’ in hospital and former colleagues, team-mates and opponents of the Liverpool and Scotland defender turned pundit have sent their thoughts and prayers to the 69-year-old former centre-back.
Hansen, who broke into the game with Partick Thistle, is extremely well-known and beloved for his long spells playing for Liverpool and serving as an analyst on Match of the Day.
A classy ball-playing centre-back who won numerous trophies at Anfield, Hansen later carved out a reputation as one of the British football’s most intelligent and insightful pundits after he hung up his boots in 1991.
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Speaking on BBC’s coverage of Italy’s victory over Albania, Gary Lineker said: “It’s been a tough week for everyone associated with Match of the Day with the news that Alan Hansen is seriously ill in hospital – shocked us all.
“To use an analogy of Alan’s favourite pastime, golf, you might be three down with four to play – but if anyone can come back from it, it’s Alan. I have never known a more competitive person in my life. We are all with you big Al.”
Alan Shearer added: “We are great friends with Al. We know his character, we know he’s a fighter, we know how tough he is – so we are thinking of you big man and we are with you, we are hoping and praying.”
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Graeme Souness had paid tribute to Hansen on ITV prior to Scotland’s 5-1 defeat to Germany in the opening game of the tournament.
A former teammate of Hansen’s for Liverpool and Scotland, Souness said: “I had the pleasure of playing with him, he was an absolute dream for a midfielder.
“He passed the ball at the right weight at the right angle at the right time…ust a super footballer. I believe he was the best footballing centre-half ever.
“You’d have to search a long long way to find anyone who’s got a bad word to say about him, and that takes some doing.
“His chat and banter were top class, and he was a pleasure to be around. He’s in the fight of his life right now, and we should all say a little prayer to him.”
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