- Reds legend Alan Hansen is ill in hospital after being admitted last week
- Well-wishes have poured in across the footballing world for the 69-year-old
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Were England good in their opener or is the criticism fair?
Graeme Souness has revealed that he has spoken to his friend and former Liverpool team-mate Alan Hansen, claimed that he ‘sounded fabulous’ and hopes he is now on the road to a full recovery.
The Reds and Scotland legend Hansen was hospitalised last week, prompting a number of supportive messages from club and country, as well as those he worked with as a pundit.
Souness, who recently described Hansen as a ‘dream for a midfielder’, told the Mail Sport that he was praying for his former colleague and yearned for the return of his ‘his usual p*** taking duties’.
And on Monday, he provided an update on his condition, revealing that he has been in dialogue with his son, wife Janet and Hansen himself.
‘I spoke to him yesterday and he sounded fabulous so I hope that’s him on the way to a full recovery.’ Souness told talkSPORT. ‘He’s definitely back because he did nothing but take the Mickey out of me!
‘I’ve been speaking to his son and Janet his wife and I’ve been phoning his phone, his phone number. I got on the train on Sunday and I was looking for my seat and my phone rang and I could see it was Big Al.
‘I was thinking “Oh no, don’t answer that”. So I sat down and got the courage to phone back and he answered the phoned. He’s been in a difficult place but the way he sounded yesterday, he’s back, and I hope I’m right.’
News of Hansen’s condition sparked a wave of well wishes from across the footballing world. Ahead of the start of BBC’s coverage of Euro 2024, his former Match of the Day co-host Gary Lineker delivered an emotional tribute.
Hansen worked on the BBC television show for 20 years.
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‘It’s been a tough week for everyone associated with Match of the Day,’ Lineker said ahead of Italy’s meeting with Albania on Saturday night.
Turning to his colleague Alan Shearer, he added: ‘The news that Alan Hansen was seriously ill in hospital shocked us all, didn’t it Alan?’
The former Newcastle striker responded: ‘Oh absolutely. We are great friends with Al, we know his character we know he’s a fighter, we know how tough he is.
Shearer added: ‘We’re thinking of you big man and we’re with you, we’re hoping and we’re praying for you.’
Lineker added: ‘Everyone at Match of the Day sends love and thoughts to Janet, Lucy and Adam and the grand children.
‘To use an analogy of Alan’s favourite pasttime, golf, he might be three down with four to play, but if anyone can come back from it, it’s Alan. I’ve never known a more competitive person in my life. We’re all with you big Al.’
Hansen began his footballing career with Sauchie in Scotland before moving on to play for Partick Thistle in 1973. He’d join Liverpool in 1977 and would go on to make 614 appearances for the Merseyside outfit, returning 14 goals and 19 assists before retiring in 1991.
The 69-year-old rejected the offer of going into management before pursuing a career in broadcasting, where he would take up positions with Sky and BBC Radio 5 Live.
He’d subsequently join up with BBC Match of the Day as a co-host in 1992 before leaving the show in 2014 having covered 16 FA Cup finals, six World Cups, five European Championshpis and one Olympics with the BBC.
Liverpool football club sent their well wishes to Hansen, writing on the club’s website: ‘The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital.’
‘A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s outstanding raft of honours across a 14-year spell with the Reds – he joined from Partick Thistle in 1977 – included eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups.’
‘”Jockey”, as he was known by teammates, is in the top 10 for all-time appearances for the club having played 620 matches, and the Scottish centre-back also served as Liverpool skipper for four seasons.
‘The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family.’