GRAEME SOUNESS struggled to hide his emotions after ‘sending prayers’ to fellow Liverpool legend Alan Hansen in ITV’s Euro 2024 opening coverage.
Liverpool icon Hansen was admitted to hospital this week with a “serious illness” and messages of support have been pouring in ever since.
Souness spoke about his friend and former teammate ahead of his and Hansen’s Scottish Euro debut against hosts Germany.
He said: “I believe he was the best defender of all time. And I know that’s a statement, but I really believe it.
“I saw firsthand that he was a quality artist and a great human being.
“You know, when people are sick, they say they’re a great guy, but I’m telling you he’s a great guy.
“You would have to look really hard to find someone saying a bad word about him – that takes some time.
“And he’s in the fight of his life right now and we should all say a little prayer for him.
“I had the pleasure of playing with him, he was an absolute dream.
“He passed the ball with the right weight, at the right angle, at the right time.”
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Hansen and Souness were together at Liverpool between 1978 and 1984.
The pair made 974 appearances for the Merseyside side – winning five league titles, four League Cups and three European Cups together.
The Anfield icons also played together for Scotland between 1979 and 1987.
Liverpool also sent a message to Hansen on Thursday on the occasion of his birthday.
It said: “We are all thinking of Alan and his family on his 69th birthday.”
Souness also praised Hansen on talkSPORT, saying: “He wasn’t a colleague, he was a mate, a good friend, a real friend.
“He is one of the good guys in life and we are all praying for him. I spoke to his wife, Janet, a few days ago and you can imagine the state he is in.”
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