Grateful McNamara thanks medics who saved his life

FORMER Celtic and Scotland star Jackie McNamara has hailed the medics who saved his life following his collapse with a suspected bleed on the brain last month. And he also thanked the wider football community for their ‘overwhelming’ support after what the 46-year-old described as an ‘extremely worrying and emotional time’ for both himself and his family. In his first statement since he was rushed to hospital on February 8, McNamara (right) revealed that he has now been allowed to return to his home in York where he is currently ‘on the road to recovery’. Writing on Twitter last night, McNamara said: ‘I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support for me and my family, from the football community and supporters, during what has been an extremely worrying and emotional time. ‘I would like to personally thank the paramedics, York Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary, who have been phenomenal. If it wasn’t for these services, I wouldn’t be here today. ‘It will be a slow and steady process but I’m on the road to recovery. ‘I am back home with my family and feel very grateful. Thanks again, Jackie.’ McNamara’s plight shocked Scottish football after it was revealed he had collapsed outside his home in York with a bleed on the brain. At the time, he was said to be in ‘a critical but stable condition’ but he is understood to have been discharged from Hull Royal Infirmary last Friday after spending more than three weeks in the care of hospital staff. Defender McNamara had a glittering playing career with Celtic, winning four league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups during a ten-year spell. He was also capped 33 times by Scotland — playing at the 1998 World Cup in France — before going on to manage Partick Thistle, Dundee United and York City.