GRAEME SOUNESS: I’m praying for Alan Hansen as he fights for his life. The best of men, he is a rascal with a ruthless sense of humour

Like everybody, I used to be shocked to listen to the information that my superb buddy Alan Hansen was significantly in poor health this week.

It is a determined time for his spouse Janet, his youngsters Adam and Lucy and everyone who’s near him.

I am praying, I do not know who to, however I am praying that he will likely be round quickly to return to his normal p*** taking duties.

Alan is a uncommon breed in life as I do not know anybody who has a nasty phrase to say about him.

The most effective footballing centre-back ever. He is a rascal with a ruthless sense of humour. Nice firm, an ideal story teller… and apparently an ideal reminiscence.

Hansen (centre) is a uncommon breed and no one has a nasty phrase to say about him. Right here, he’s pictured after profitable the title with Liverpool in 1983

His recollection of occasions could be completely different to mine however he all the time tells a narrative with such nice confidence that I am going away considering ‘he should be proper then’. He all the time appears so assured.

If ever there was a disagreement within the dressing room, it was all the time Kenny Dalglish and I who had been the gobby ones, and if ever there was any resistance, the talk would all the time be minimize quick by Huge Al’s interjection. All it took was a customary shake of the top and just a little acerbic remark. He was the delicate one out of the three of us. His quick, mental intervention would cease the talk in its tracks and Kenny and I’d win the argument. That is teamwork. We had been very tight – though I believe as of late you’d have the opposite gamers operating off to the Human Assets division to complain they had been being picked on!

We all the time used to have the ‘Three Jocks image’ each season with each trophy we gained. Phil Thompson, Phil Neal, Terry McDermott and Emlyn Hughes used to attempt to get on the photographs however we might push them away to ensure we had our personal little snapshot of the second: ‘Jocks Solely’. Three nice mates collectively. In later years, Steve Nicol and Gary Gillespie could be allowed on them too.

You may reel off no matter names you need however belief me, Alan was the most effective footballing centre-back ever. He was a midfield participant in disguise. Somebody you could not dispossess in a phone field.

He’d drive me mad at instances. I would lose my persistence and snap: ‘any hazard you will begin passing me the bloody ball?’ And he would flip and say ‘Why ought to I cross it to you once I can do it higher?’

He was such a pure athlete. He loves his golf, he was a superb squash participant too. He would have been good at any sport that he wished to dedicate himself to.

Earlier than a sport, within the dressing room, we might all be doing our particular person warm-ups and he’d be sat, legs crossed, singing Billy Joel songs, ‘Do not go Altering’ and all that, studying the programme from cowl to cowl. Then, when the bell rang to exit and play, he’d rise up and seem to have the stiffest again ever, pulling an agonising face as he straightened himself up, then, inside 5 minutes of the beginning of the sport, he is giving the opposition’s quickest participant a head begin and nonetheless profitable the race.

Hansen was the delicate one of many trio, pictured lifting the European Cup in 1981

He was lightning fast.

He’d later say he was a bag of nerves earlier than a sport however you might by no means inform then. Half an hour earlier than a soccer match and he appeared like he did not have a care on the earth.

No matter occurred, Alan not often appeared ruffled.

We may very well be enjoying on a farmer’s area of a pitch. Mark Lawrenson could be lined head to toe in mud after 5 minutes and but, after 90 minutes, Alan would seem like he’d simply stepped out of Marks and Spencer’s store window, not a speck of grime on him. Lawro would love a deal with however Alan by no means went to floor. He was all the time studying the sport, considering forward, an exquisite participant.

Individuals speak about enjoying excessive strains of defence, Liverpool had been doing that within the ’70s as a result of we had him in our crew, and we knew he may give anybody a three-yard head begin and catch them.

Manchester United supporters would assume Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand had been the most effective partnership, Chelsea followers could say John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, however nearly as good as they had been, there has by no means been a greater partnership than Alan and Lawro. One was very aggressive, the opposite did not should be. They had been means forward of their time. If you wish to see a defensive masterclass simply search for 1984 European Cup remaining – Roma in Rome – after they by no means gave their World Cup profitable forwards a sniff.

Hansen, 69, is significantly in poor health and combating for his life, remaining in hospital 

Alan all the time appeared too sensible on and off the pitch. Even when he’s bluffing, he is that convincing you consider him. He’s a person you’ll be able to all the time depend on.

Over 30 years in the past, once I had my coronary heart operation, he was the primary one to drive throughout to Manchester to see me in hospital.

If I used to be anticipating sympathy I used to be in for a shock. His humour is ruthless. He simply took the mickey out of me as if I would had a minor process. That sharp wit, you are a courageous man to take him on. I simply needed to snigger and take it on the chin. That banter we had and that we used to share at Liverpool, these are days I want I may reside over again. He’s simply the most effective of males. I simply can’t consider he’s combating for his life.

MAN UNITED MUST FIND ANOTHER WAY 

Erik ten Hag is aware of his crew must play very in a different way subsequent 12 months.

There needs to be a whole sea change of their performances or he will not be there past Christmas.

The very fact they’ve been interviewing different folks for his job tells you every little thing. Successful the FA Cup was papering over the cracks of the truth that final season was simply unacceptable. The statistics underline that.

He cannot be counting on the 2 youngsters in Alejandro Garnacho or Kobbie Mainoo to hold the struggle, United want to purchase gamers and get a totally completely different tune out of the present ones.

There isn’t any doubt his place has been undermined by the way in which it has been dealt with by the house owners however he has now obtained to discover a means of getting his gamers believing in him once more.

Erik ten Hag  will perceive that Manchester United must play in a different way 

FRIENDLIES ARE A WASTE OF TIME 

Do not learn something into England’s defeat by Iceland final week.

For England’s gamers it was a sport they might have accomplished with out, risking harm so near a serious event. For Iceland it was the spotlight of their careers, having the possibility to beat England at Wembley with the world watching.

I used to be inspired to not play in worldwide friendlies as a participant. Then as a supervisor going to look at them for potential signings I fancied I quickly came upon you by no means study something from them. Friendlies are a waste of time. Nothing has diminished my view that England will sail by means of the group levels. 

Gareth Southgate’s England will cruise by means of the group stage of Euro 2024

They’ve deficiencies in defence, and the health of John Stones will likely be vital, however England are a really harmful crew due to their attacking gamers. 

There’s discuss of Serbia being bodily – I do not assume that applies any extra with at this time’s officers. I absolutely anticipate to see England within the remaining on July 14.

A PROUD DAY 

I AM completely thrilled to be receiving a CBE.

It is an extremely proud second and honour for me, my spouse, youngsters and all my household. I am delighted however I’ve to provide credit score largely to the function performed by my swim crew. With out them I may by no means have accomplished what I did within the English Channel final 12 months for the charity DEBRA of which I’m vice-president. The award is an effective way of heightening the profile and consciousness of this horrible illness Epidermolysis Bullosa. We’d like extra vitality and help as a result of we at DEBRA are in a battle we simply cannot afford to lose.