Liverpool and Scotland legend Alan Hansen seriously ill in hospital | Liverpool

Alan Hansen, the legendary former Liverpool and Scotland defender, is seriously ill in hospital.

Liverpool confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon and the club is offering support to the family of the 68-year-old, who retired in 1991 to pursue a highly successful career as a television pundit.

“The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital,” it said in a statement. “The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to offer their support at this difficult time and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and the entire Hansen family.

“We will provide any additional updates as we receive them in a timely manner and ask that the Hansen family’s privacy be respected at this time.”

Hansen joined Liverpool from Partick Thistle in 1977 and won three European Cups, eight league titles, two FA Cups and three League Cups in 620 appearances for the Anfield club before retiring in March 1991 due to a accidents.

The man known as ‘Jockey’ also won 26 caps for his country and played in the 1982 World Cup in Spain after making his international debut in 1979. He is widely recognized as one of the fine centre-backs of his generation, combining excellent strength, speed and awareness with supreme composure in and out of possession.

After hanging up his boots, Hansen became a regular at the BBC, appearing on Match of the Day as well as the broadcaster’s live coverage, establishing himself as a respected and charismatic voice of the game. However, in this role he is perhaps best known for claiming that “you can’t win anything with kids” after Manchester United’s 3–1 defeat by Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995–96 season Premier League and after Alex Ferguson had put together a squad containing plenty of raw and young talent including Gary Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and, from the bench, David Beckham. United went on to win the double that season.

Hansen retired from practice in May 2014 and has since lived a quiet life. He is married and has two children.