Former Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has been told he has months to live after being diagnosed with cancer.
Goram, 58, had been undergoing treatment for oesophageal cancer at a local hospital.
But the former Scotland international has been told the disease is now terminal.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Goram vowed to "fight like I’ve never fought before".
He said:“I thought I had severe indigestion. It was as though my gullet was blocked. After a few weeks, it got worse and nothing was getting through.
“Everything I ate or drank didn’t get halfway to my stomach and I threw it back up.
Andy Goram
PA
“I couldn’t get a face-to-face with my GP for two weeks, by which time I was in total agony. I’d also lost 4 stone in four weeks.
“I had a CT scan at Monklands, then was rushed to Wishaw General and told my next of kin should be with me.
“That is when the alarm bells started ringing. I realised I had cancer.”
The Ibrox club announced Goram was undergoing treatment, when his son broke down at the news of his diagnosis.
He added: “The surgeon explained where all the cancer was and it was inoperable. Danny broke down while I was trying to assess the situation.
Andy Goram
PA
“The word ‘inoperable’ hit me hard. I knew I was in for a fight.”
Goram is now refusing chemotherapy treatment as it would only extend his life for three months, and has vowed to fight the disease on his own.
“I’ve been told by the doc, ‘Go enjoy your everyday life and be as normal as possible.
“My pain is manageable. I can still go see friends and still be myself.
“I’ll be here as long as I possibly can.
“The only difference is the timebomb is ticking away.”
Rangers have sent their best wishes to the 58-year-old former Scotland international.
A statement on the club’s official Twitter account read: “Rangers can confirm our legendary goalkeeper, Andy Goram, is undergoing treatment for cancer in a local hospital.
“Club officials are in regular contact with Andy and his family. The family have asked for privacy at this time.
“Everyone at Rangers wishes ‘The Goalie’ well at this difficult time.”
Former Oldham player Goram won six Scottish league titles in seven years after joining Rangers from Hibernian in 1991.
He later played for the likes of Motherwell, Manchester United and Queen of the South.
As well as winning 43 international caps in football, he also represented Scotland at cricket.
