ANNOUNCER Gary Lineker delivered a moving message to former Match of the Day colleague Alan Hansen, who is seriously ill.
Lineker took advantage of the BBC’s pre-match coverage of the Italy-Albania Euros clash to broadcast an emotional tribute after Liverpool and Scotland legend Hansen fell unexpectedly ill.
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It was revealed on Monday that Hansen, 69, had been hospitalized in news that left the football world shocked and saddened.
Hansen played 614 times for Liverpool in an illustrious career that yielded eight top-flight titles.
He then began broadcasting as co-host of the BBC’s Match of the Day.
Former colleague Lineker said it had been “a difficult week for everyone associated with Match of the Day”.
He said: “The news that Alan Hansen is seriously ill in hospital has shocked us all.”
Broadcasting alongside Lineker was former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, who added: “We’re great friends with Alan, we know his character, we know he’s a fighter, we know how tough he is.
“We’re thinking about you, big guy, and we’re with you. We hope and pray for you.”
Lineker added: “Everyone at Match of the Day sends love and thoughts to Janet, Lucy, Adam and the grandchildren.
“To use Alan’s favorite golf analogy, you might be three down and four to play, but if anyone can bounce back, it’s Alan.
“I have never met a more competitive person in my life. We’re all with you, Big Al.”
The emotional message came after former Scottish footballer Graeme Souness spoke about Hansen ahead of the opening of the Scotland-Germany tournament.
Speaking to ITV, Souness 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’d have to look really hard to find someone saying a bad word about him – that takes some work.”
Souness added that his former partner and friend was “in the fight of his life right now.”
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The pair played together at Liverpool from 1978 to 1984, winning several cups side by side, and for Scotland from 1979-1987.
Souness said: “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.”
Liverpool released a statement on their website saying that all members of the club had Hansen in mind.
It said: “The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is seriously ill in hospital.
“A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s excellent haul of silverware over a 14-year spell at the Reds – he arrived from Partick Thistle in 1977 – included eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.
“The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to offer our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and the entire Hansen family.”
Nicknamed “Jockey”, Hansen is 10th on Liverpool’s all-time appearances list. He was club captain for four seasons.
ICONIC SPEECH
By Joshua Jones
ALAN HANSEN won everything in his glittering Liverpool career.
His impressive trophy case included EIGHT league titles, three European Cups, four League Cups and two FA Cups.
And yet it is his iconic speech as Match of the Day commentator that a whole generation of football fans will know him best.
Manchester United were beaten 3-1 by Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995-96 season after a summer of comebacks.
There were Paul Ince, Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis and the starting XI included young players like Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.
Hansen was clearly unconvinced by Ferguson’s team’s clear lack of experience and boldly declared in his thick, iconic Scottish accent after the Villa defeat: “You can’t win anything with kids.”
Fast forward to the end of the season and he was left with egg on his face when United won the league and cup double.
But it was short-term pain, long-term gain for Hansen, who never shook off the phrase and openly admitted that it was what “made” him an expert.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
