Relieved Jackie McNamara has revealed how his life was saved by a random slice of luck.
The former Scotland and Celtic star collapsed near his home in February this year.
He was cared for by his wife who called for an ambulance and fortunately paramedics were able to attend the scene within five minutes.
McNamara feels if it had taken much longer he would have been unable to recover.
The ordeal has understandably made a mark on the 46-year-old and he admits considering the fate of another otherwise fit and healthy ex-professional who passed away tragically with the same condition - Davie Cooper.
McNamara told The Scotsman: “I know how close I was to death. Now and again, I still get a bit emotional about it.
“I’ve thought about Davie Cooper a lot – I know he passed away from the same thing which happened to me. He wasn’t as lucky as I have been in surviving it.
“I was lucky my wife Sam was beside me and was so quick to call the emergency services. Fortunately, there were paramedics nearby to our house in Malton at the time.
“Within five minutes, they were with us. Had they not been as close by as they were, I don’t think I would have made it. They got fluids into me and got me to hospital in York. So feeling lucky is the biggest emotion I have right now – 100 per cent. I know I was struggling, I know how touch and go it was.”
After a diagnosis at York Hospital, McNamara was transferred to a specialist unit in Hull. His recovery has not been straightforward after having to return to hospital twice but he has now been told he doesn’t need further surgery.
He added: “Immediately after the initial operation, when they had to put me into an induced coma, they told Sam I might not wake up.
"That was obviously unbeknown to me at that point, but scary for Sam and the family. It’s another reason I’m just so grateful to be here today.”
Such a terrifying ordeal doesn't come without some mental scars and the retired star admits it has changed his entire attitude to life.
He admitted: "Because you’ve been close to death, the health specialists speak to you about the possibility of suffering post traumatic stress disorder.
“My outlook on things has definitely changed. There are things in life you can take for granted.
"I felt I was as fit as any 46-year-old and then this happened to me. So it’s given me a different outlook on life, on being happy, on appreciating your friends and family and not worrying about things which would have bothered me before.”
And McNamara thanked all the fans who reached out with messages of support to him and his family, including from across the Glasgow divide.
He added: “All of the well-wishing I received was incredible. There were obviously so many messages from Celtic fans, but also from Rangers fans, which I really appreciated.
"That was so nice and really helped me and the family.”
