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Tributes pour in for footballer | Tributes pour in for footballer |
(30 minutes later) | |
First Minister Alex Salmond has led tributes to footballer Phil O'Donnell who died after collapsing during a match on Saturday. | First Minister Alex Salmond has led tributes to footballer Phil O'Donnell who died after collapsing during a match on Saturday. |
Motherwell FC will announce plans later for a formal tribute to the club captain who died following an SPL match with Dundee United. | Motherwell FC will announce plans later for a formal tribute to the club captain who died following an SPL match with Dundee United. |
Supporters of clubs across the UK have been posting their condolences on the club's website after the tragedy. | Supporters of clubs across the UK have been posting their condolences on the club's website after the tragedy. |
The 35-year-old former Celtic player leaves a wife and four children. | The 35-year-old former Celtic player leaves a wife and four children. |
Motherwell fans have been laying scarves, strips and pictures at the gates of Fir Park. | Motherwell fans have been laying scarves, strips and pictures at the gates of Fir Park. |
The club's scheduled SPL game against Hibs at Easter Road next Wednesday has now been postponed. | |
O'Donnell collapsed towards the end of the match at Fir Park which Motherwell went on to win 5-3. | O'Donnell collapsed towards the end of the match at Fir Park which Motherwell went on to win 5-3. |
The circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football First Minister Alex Salmond | |
The club later confirmed that O'Donnell died at 1718 GMT. | The club later confirmed that O'Donnell died at 1718 GMT. |
Mr Salmond said: "I had seen Phil playing a number of times. | Mr Salmond said: "I had seen Phil playing a number of times. |
"He was an outstanding young player and a great prospect. | "He was an outstanding young player and a great prospect. |
"As Craig Brown was saying earlier, injury at a key time probably prevented him getting many, many more Scottish caps. | "As Craig Brown was saying earlier, injury at a key time probably prevented him getting many, many more Scottish caps. |
"But the circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football. | "But the circumstances of his death are obviously a huge blow to Scottish football. |
"My sympathy and condolences go to his family and friends." | "My sympathy and condolences go to his family and friends." |
Motherwell owner John Boyle said the death was an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family. | Motherwell owner John Boyle said the death was an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family. |
He added: "Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. | He added: "Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. |
"Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person." | "Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person." |
'Great professional' | 'Great professional' |
Former First Minister Jack McConnell, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, was among those to pay tribute. | Former First Minister Jack McConnell, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, was among those to pay tribute. |
He hailed the midfielder as a "great professional". He said: "As captain he helped transform Motherwell this season. | He hailed the midfielder as a "great professional". He said: "As captain he helped transform Motherwell this season. |
"Phil will be sadly missed by his family and by football fans but he will be mourned by the whole community." | "Phil will be sadly missed by his family and by football fans but he will be mourned by the whole community." |
The player was described as a "perfect gentleman" by former Scotland coach Craig Brown. | The player was described as a "perfect gentleman" by former Scotland coach Craig Brown. |
Mr Salmond said the star's death was a "huge blow" | |
He said: "It's very, very sad news, I just can't get over it. | He said: "It's very, very sad news, I just can't get over it. |
"You would not get a more ideal role model for a young footballer than Phil O'Donnell. | "You would not get a more ideal role model for a young footballer than Phil O'Donnell. |
"I think in his first spell at Motherwell he was probably the best box-to-box midfield player - maybe not just in Scotland but in the UK." | "I think in his first spell at Motherwell he was probably the best box-to-box midfield player - maybe not just in Scotland but in the UK." |
Brian Worton, secretary of the Motherwell FC Supporters' Association, told the BBC O'Donnell's death was a "massive loss." | |
"I feel for his family - his wife Aileen and four children," he said. | |
"He was a perfect leader for this football club and led byexample. | |
"You couldn't find a bad thing to say about him. | |
"There weren't any off the pitch incidents - nothing. He was just a great,great footballer and a great leader." |