Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer’s emotional message to Alan Hansen

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer shared heartfelt messages of support for Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, who is gravely ill in hospital.

While hosting the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2024’s Italy versus Albania game on Saturday, they took a moment to express their feelings and well wishes toward the former Anfield, Partick Thistle and Scotland national team icon. Having spent many years alongside veteran pundit Hansen on Match of the Day, Lineker expressed his shock about Hansen’s health situation, inviting his co-presenter Shearer to contribute his sentiments.

In the emotional pre-match segment, Lineker addressed the audience, saying: “It’s been a tough week for everyone associated with Match of the Day. The news that Alan Hansen was seriously ill in hospital shocked us all didn’t it Alan?” to which Shearer responded: “Oh absolutely, we all are great friends with Al. We know he’s a character and a fighter and how tough he is so we are thinking of you big man, we are hoping and praying for you.”

Lineker then added: “Everyone at Match Of The Day sends love and thoughts to Janet, Lucy and Adam and the grandchildren. To use an analogy of Alan’s favourite pastime, golf, he might be three down with four to play but if anyone can come back from it, it’s Alan. I have never known a more competitive person in my life. We are all with you Big Al.”

The panel, which also included Micah Richards and Cesc Fabregas, also paid tribute to former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell, whose death at the age of 54 was announced this morning. This followed the equally shocking news that Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, once of Livingston, had died aged 26.