He was a fantastic player on the pitch but a man with great empathy. A good egg

Former Scotland defender Gary Gillespie signed for Liverpool in 1983 and stayed at Anfield for eight years, giving him the chance to not only play alongside but be managed by his boyhood idol.

“I grew up supporting Celtic as a boy, so Kenny was one of my heroes,” explained Gary. “So to play and then be managed by him was a wonderful treat. “He was a fantastic player with wonderful vision and awareness, and a great team ethic – it was never about individual glory. He used to be portrayed as a bit dull and dour but he’s far from that – he’s a laughing, jokey sort of person, in the dressing room and as a manager. He was always up for a laugh and taking the Michael out of people.

“But he had a serious side too and when it came to winning football matches he was driven, totally focused and a born winner. He achieved more or less everything he could in the game.” Gary won several honours in that Liverpool side, but there is one moment in particular that stands out when it comes to Kenny’s career. “That first year he was in charge, there were questions being asked if you could be a player-manager of a club that size, but you just need to look at what he achieved. “For him to score the goal that won the league against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, then win the FA Cup the following week… winning the double in his first year as manager was special and was probably the moment you realised he’s one of those people destined for greatness.” Gary says his off-field achievements add to Kenny’s legacy: “For what he did with regards to Hillsborough, he will go down in history as a man who showed great empathy to everybody, and who pulled the club through a difficult time. “And there’s the charity work he does with Marina and his daughter, Lauren, through the Marina Dalglish Appeal. “He’s a good egg.”