Scotland squad 'thinking of Alan Hansen' days before Euro 2024 gets started... with Liverpool and national team legend seriously ill in hospital

The Scottish FA have extended their heartfelt wishes to national team icon Alan Hansen, who faces a serious health battle in hospital.

Scotland take part in the opening match of Euro 2024 this week, playing hosts Germany on Friday night.

But their thoughts remain with Liverpool and Scotland legend Hansen, 68, who was hospitalised over the weekend, prompting a number of supportive messages, including from the national team camp. 

Assistant manager John Carver said: 'I would just like to pass a message on to say that everybody, the players, the staff, everybody connected with the SFA, are really thinking about himself [Hansen] and his family because it is an extremely difficult time. 

'The biggest thing that I noticed was that he was a fantastic defender but he was a ball-playing centre-half. He was probably one of the first that I can remember seeing play.

'The way he stepped out with the ball, he was so graceful and that's why I remember him. He was obviously at one of the top sides in the world at the time, winning European Cups, winning everything in sight, so a proper legend in the game.'

Hansen earned 26 caps for Scotland, and participated in their 1982 World Cup campaign in Spain. 

Liverpool took to their social media channels on Sunday afternoon to announce that Hansen was in hospital, and that they are in direct contact with his family.

'The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital,' the club posted on their official website. 

Following his retirement as a player in 1991, he stepped into punditry and became one of the most popular broadcasters in the country, most notably for his work on Match of the Day, remaining with the BBC until 2014. 

Well-wishes were posted across social media on Sunday evening, including from Hansen's former Match of the Day colleague Gary Lineker.

Lineker said on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Horrendous news. Thoughts are with Alan, Janet and all the family’. 

His old Liverpool partner Mark Lawrenson wrote: 'Come on Big Al - you can beat this - Love to Janet, Adam, Lucy and all the family'. 

Meanwhile former Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright also sent well wishes to Hansen, saying: 'Wishing the LFC legend Alan Hansen a speedy recovery, love and thoughts with Janet, Lucy & Adam.' 

Following their opening Group A match against Germany on Friday, Scotland also face Switzerland and Hungary in their bid to reach the knockout stages at the European Championships for the first time in their history.