Ibrox stars teamed as much as share reminiscences of Andy Goram in certainly one of his favorite pubs as they “tried to course of” his loss of life aged 58. The previous gamers, together with family members of the legendary goalkeeper, raised a glass to him after he misplaced his battle with most cancers.
Goram died at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie on Saturday, weeks after being instructed he was terminally unwell. Former Gers team-mates John “Bomber” Brown, Charlie Miller and Gordon Durie joined his son Danny and shut mates Stan Gordon and Baz Gilmour to boost a glass in his reminiscence.
Ex-Rangers defender Marvin Andrews additionally joined the group on the Stonefield Tavern in Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Goram – nicknamed The Goalie – was recognized with stage 4 oesophageal most cancers in April. It got here after he thought he was struggling heartburn and indigestion.
The icon had been within the hospice for 3 weeks after he grew to become too unwell to be handled at house. Family members together with Danny, ex-wife Miriam, Brown and former Gers striker Ally McCoist had been with him in his ultimate moments.
Stan, who was near Goram, got here house early from a vacation in Tenerife final week after being instructed his pal’s situation had worsened. He instructed how Goram stored his spirits excessive by reliving the important thing moments of his glittering profession with former team-mates and on-field rivals.
A significant save in opposition to Eric Cantona in opposition to Leeds United in a Champions League play-off at Elland Street in 1992 was a spotlight. Goram thwarted the Frenchman early within the match earlier than Rangers took the lead via Mark Hateley.
The Gers gained the match 2-1, progressing 4-2 on mixture. Stan, who owns the Stonefield, stated: “Everybody near Andy is devastated. Though we knew he was terminally unwell it’s nonetheless an enormous shock to lose him.
“He was bigger than life, heat and beneficiant. His shut buddies and household got here again to the pub after he handed away. We simply needed to be collectively as we tried to course of what had simply occurred. A number of of us had a drink in his reminiscence.”
Stan revealed Goram confronted his sickness with bravery and refused to really feel sorry for himself.
He added: “Andy took on board his analysis actually rapidly and accepted what the medical doctors had instructed him though it was a large shock.
“He didn’t waste any time asking, ‘Why me?’ He simply needed to get every little thing sorted out earlier than he died. From there, he simply tried to make the most effective of his scenario and guarantee that individuals round him didn’t really feel uncomfortable or upset.
“He loved going over among the superb highlights throughout his profession together with his outdated team-mates. That basically stored him going and there was a variety of good banter at occasions.
“Him and Bomber had good chats about key moments in video games – just like the early save he made in opposition to Cantona within the Battle of Britain.”
Supporters continued to put tributes to Goram exterior Ibrox stadium yesterday. The membership introduced Goram’s loss of life in a press release on-line.
The Goalie signed for the membership in 1991 from Hibs in a £1million deal. He went on to win 5 league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups in a seven-year spell.
Goram, who additionally had spells at Oldham Athletic, Motherwell and Manchester United, was voted the membership’s biggest ever goalkeeper by followers in a ballot.
His funeral preparations are anticipated to be introduced throughout the subsequent few days.
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