Graeme Souness breaks down in live tribute to Alan Hansen as update issued

Graeme Souness was visibly emotional as he spoke about his former Liverpool team-mate Alan Hansen, who is 'seriously ill' in hospital. The news of Hansen's illness came just before Scotland's opening match at Euro 2024.

Hansen, who celebrated his 69th birthday yesterday, is a Liverpool legend with over 600 appearances for the club. He helped the Reds secure eight league titles and three European Cups, among other domestic trophies.

Post-retirement, he carved out a successful career in punditry, most notably as a regular analyst on Match of the Day.

Ahead of Scotland's first game against Germany at Euro 2024, Souness was asked to share some words about his former team-mate during ITV's live coverage.

"I had the pleasure of playing with him, he was an absolute dream for a midfielder," he said. "He passed the ball at the right weight at the right angle at the right time. Just a super footballer. I believe he was the best footballing centre-half ever.", reports the Express.

"I know that's some statement but I really believe it. I saw it close-up, he was a real quality performer and as a human being, when people are ill people say they were great guys. I'm telling you, he was a great guy."

"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 was top-class, 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."

Souness earlier revealed the latest on Hansen's condition, saying: "He is one of life's good guys and we're all saying a prayer for him. I spoke to his wife, Janet, a few days ago and you can imagine the state he's in, but I'm telling you, he's one of the best guys you could meet, a proper human being in every sense."