I thought he must have been in shock but it was courage
McCoist in awe of Goram for the way he dealt with his diagnosis
WHEN the news was delivered to Andy Goram ten weeks ago, it was more devastating than anyone in his inner circle could possibly have feared.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 oesophageal cancer, medics informed the former Rangers and Scotland goalkeeper that the disease had already spread to his liver, right lung, three vertebrae and ribs.
Told he had just months to live, the 58-year-old opted to decline the offer of chemotherapy after learning the gruelling and invasive treatment would only extend his life by an extra 12 weeks.
In the wake of such a bombshell, Ally McCoist watched and waited for the gravity of the situation to take its toll on his close friend and former team-mate’s upbeat outlook.
When that did not happen, McCoist realised Goram had not, in fact, been in shock; he had merely been showing incredible bravery in the face of such grim adversity.
The way he courageously dealt with his last few weeks on earth was ultimately a source of strength to McCoist and the other friends and family who were by the Ibrox icon’s side when he passed away at the weekend at St Margaret’s Hospice in Airdrie.
‘The speed of it has been absolutely frightening,’ said McCoist on talkSPORT. ‘I was there on Saturday morning with John Brown — another team-mate of Andy’s — when he passed, along with his son, Danny, and his ex-wife, Miriam, and it was absolutely tragic.
‘However, we are all taking great courage from the fact that his bravery was absolutely incredible.
‘I kept coming back and saying to the boys, whoever I was on the phone to, whether it be Archie (Knox), wee Durranty (Ian Durrant) or any of the (ex-Rangers) boys, I thought “The Goalie” was actually in a state of shock at the news, which would have been understandable.
‘But he actually wasn’t in a state of shock. He was just showing a remarkable bravery that I have never seen in my life before.
‘He succumbed to this horrendous illness and we are all in no doubt that he is free from pain and in a far better place.
‘He was a pal. He was the best goalkeeper I ever played with. He was unbelievable as a goalkeeper. And I would have to tell you, he was one hell of a man. He had a bit of everything in his make-up.
‘It’s a sad, sad loss. Tragically taken away far too soon — 58 is not an age at all and we will all miss him desperately.’
The former Oldham, Hibernian and Manchester United goalkeeper enjoyed the finest years of his career at Ibrox under the management of the late Walter Smith, who passed away last year.
An Old Firm specialist, Goram won five Scottish league titles and five domestic cups in his seven years at Rangers following his £1million move along the M8 from Easter Road in 1991.
He also played 43 times for his country and was first-choice goalkeeper at Euro 92 in Sweden and Euro 96 in England.
McCoist took comfort from Goram being able to reminisce about all the good times on the pitch in the final weeks of his life.
‘In the last couple of weeks or so we were sitting with Andy at his bedside and all these stories were coming out and inevitably we would end up in tears laughing at some of the tales,’ said McCoist.
‘There were some classics. We sat in what is the saddest of situations, we would end up holding his hand and having a right giggle.
‘The tears were rolling down our faces at some of the stupid stories and just going back over good times, talking about Walter (Smith) and Archie and how lucky we were to play in that period.
‘It’s very sad but do you know something? He is free from pain. That’s the most important thing.
‘Having gone to see him on a regular basis, first of all at the hospital in Wishaw, then East Kilbride and eventually at the hospice in Airdrie, I would like to thank everybody who looked after Andy. These girls and guys in these places are absolutely remarkable, the job they do.’
Last night a charity chief said ‘iconic personalities’ like Goram who speak out about cancer can only help raise awareness of the disease.
In a newspaper interview in May, Goram told how he sought medical attention after losing weight while suffering what he believed to be severe indigestion.
Martin Cawley, chief executive of the Beatson Cancer Charity, praised Goram and the late Dame Deborah James — who died recently aged 40 with bowel cancer — for helping raise awareness of cancer. He believes their stories will encourage people to get any health concerns checked out by medical professionals.
‘When people of such a highprofile nature speak out — Deborah James did some amazing work on bowel cancer and, more recently, Andy for oesophagael cancer — that can only help,’ Cawley told BBC Good Morning Scotland. ‘It can generate a greater awareness.
‘Hopefully, if people have any worrying issues, they will act on it immediately. Things like weight loss, trouble swallowing and maybe even chest pain, sore throats. Early detection and treatment is always the best approach.’