Alan Hansen 'seriously ill' as Liverpool offer support to Anfield legend after Scot is hospitalised

Scotland and Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is seriously ill in hospital.

The Anfield club have confirmed that the former Match of the Day pundit is receiving treatment for an as yet unknown illness and will provide further updates in due course. Hansen was a stalwart of the all conquering Liverpool sides of the 70s and 80s after making the move to Merseyside from Partick Thistle in 1977.

Hansen won everything there was to win with the Reds, lifting the European Cup three times as well as eight league titles, two FA Cups and three League Cups. The classy central defender won 26 caps for Scotland and played at the 1982 World Cup in Spain. His last match in the Dark Blue came in a 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in 1987 before hanging up his boots in 1991 and turning his hand to TV punditry with the BBC.

A club statement read: "The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital.

"A defender of the utmost elegance, Hansen’s outstanding raft of honours across a 14-year spell with the Reds – he joined from Partick Thistle in 1977 – included eight league titles, three European Cups, two FA Cups and three League Cups. ‘Jocky’, as he was known by teammates, is in the top 10 for all-time appearances for the club having played 620 matches, and the Scottish centre-back also served as Liverpool skipper for four seasons.

"The club is currently in contact with Alan’s family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family. We will provide any further updates as we receive them in due course, and we request that the Hansen family’s privacy is respected at this