Farewell: Tributes paid to Scotland and Liverpool great Ian St John
The world of football has been paying tribute to former Scotland and Liverpool striker Ian St John, who has died at the age of 82.
St John, known as “Saint” made 425 appearances for the Reds and scored 118 goals as a key member of Bill Shankly's famous side of the 1960s.
The Merseyside club confirmed St John died on Monday evening following an illness. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of a true Anfield legend, Ian St John," the club said. "The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football
Club are with Ian's family and friends at this sad and difficult time. Rest in peace, Ian St John 1938-2021."
In a statement on Liverpool's website, the St John family said: "It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that after a long illness we have lost a husband, father and grandfather.
"He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside.
"We would like to thank all the staff at Arrowe Park Hospital for their hard work and dedication during these very difficult times.
"The family would be grateful for privacy at this extremely sad time."
St John won two first division titles under Shankly and scored the winning goal in the 1965 FA Cup final. He also represented Scotland 21 times, scoring nine goals.
After retiring in 1973, St John went on to manage his hometown club Motherwell and also Portsmouth.
But he won a new generation of fans in the 1980s presenting the popular Saturday afternoon football show Saint and gr eavsie alongside former Tottenham and England forward Jimmy Greaves.
A post on Greaves' Twitter account said: "We are very sad to hear the Saint has passed away.
"Ian St John and I had great fun working on the Saint and Greavsie.
"He was a lovely man and will be sadly missed by many, many people. We must also remember he was a great footballer for Bill Shankly's Liverpool and beyond. #Ianstjohn."
Former Liverpool forward and manager Sir Kenny Dalglish said on the club's website: "I think it's right to use the word ‘icon’.
"It's because of what he did in those early days, Shanks especially, the Saint and Big Yatesey (Ron Yeats), his big mucker, and it's because of them where this football club is at this particular moment in time.
"We should be eternally grateful for what he did for the football club. "I'm sure he knew that when he was here, the club really appreciated and revered him for what he did for us."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to "a true legend" and told the club's official website it had been an honour to meet St John.
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard heard the news during his Rangers press conference. The Rangers boss said: "That's a shock and a surprise to me. I didn't know that. "I'm really disappointed to hear that. He's an iconic figure at Liverpool Football Club."
Ex-striker Ian Rush wrote on Twitter: "RIP Ian St John. Sleep well legend!!"
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson tweetied: "RIP Ian St John. One of the greats."