Former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram dies aged 58

Former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram has died at the age of 58.

Goram revealed in an interview with the Daily Record in May that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

He said he had been given about six months to live by doctors after declining the chance of chemotherapy, which might extend his life by an extra three months.

“Rangers Football Club are today deeply saddened to announce the death of our legendary goalkeeper, Andy Goram, following a short battle with cancer,” a club statement said.

“In a 1999 supporters’ poll, he was voted the greatest Rangers goalkeeper of all time, and after retirement, was still a regular face around Ibrox on matchdays and still wowed the crowd with some memorable appearances in legends teams.

“The thoughts of the directors, management, players and staff are today with Andy’s family, and would ask that their privacy is respected at this sad time.”

Bury-born Goram began his career at Oldham before moving north to play for Hibernian between 1987 and 1991.

Goram made 260 appearances for Rangers between 1991 and 1998, where he was simply known as ‘The Goalie’, winning five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

He won 43 caps for Scotland and was their first-choice goalkeeper at both Euro 92 and Euro 96.

After Rangers, he played for Notts County, Sheffield United, Motherwell, Manchester United, Hamilton, Coventry, Oldham, Queen of the South and Elgin.

Goram was part of the Manchester United squad that won the Premier League in 2001, making two appearances for the Red Devils.

At Queen of the South he became the first player to complete the set of Scottish medals when he claimed a Challenge Cup medal to go alongside winners’ prizes in the Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup.

He also won international caps for Scotland as a cricketer.

Goram remains the only person to have played a first-class international match at cricket as well as a major international football match for Scotland.

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Former United team-mate Gary Neville tweeted: “Terribly sad news about Andy Goram. RIP Andy. Love to all your family.”

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown paid tribute to Goram, telling Sky Sports: “He was a wonderful goalkeeper and a very popular guy, not only with the Rangers and Scotland players but with the opposing team.

“He had so many attributes to make him such a popular individual.

“He was a character, full of fun and good-natured. It’s a heartbreak to many people hearing this today.”

Goram was inducted in to the Scotland Hall of Fame in 2010 and Brown said: “We had in my opinion, in Andy and Jim Leighton, the two best goalkeepers in Europe at that time.

“Andy was the one I selected to play at Euro 1996 and I did not regret that because he was outstanding.

Former Scotland manager Craig Brown said Andy Goram was “outstanding” at Euro 1996 (Lynne Cameron/PA)

“He’s a cult hero at Ibrox, no doubt a Rangers legend. Just to be called ‘The Goalie’ tells you everything.

“The emphasis is in ‘The’ because they felt he was ‘The’ one – the best goalkeeper.

“I remember the late Tommy Burns, the manager of Celtic, saying Andy Goram single-handedly won the title for Rangers one season.”

The Scottish Football Association tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of legendary Scotland goalkeeper, Andy Goram.

“The thoughts of everyone at the Scottish FA are with Andy’s family and friends at this time.”

Manchester United paid tribute to Goram on their website.

The club said: “Manchester United send their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our former goalkeeper Andy Goram after it was announced that he has sadly passed away, aged 58.

“Our club joins the football world today in mourning his passing. Everyone at the club is thinking of Andy’s family, loved ones and former colleagues at this extremely sad time.”