Sergio Porrini has urged everyone in Scotland to stay safe after seeing first hand the devastating impact of the coronavirus.
The ex- Rangers star is still coming to terms with the death of cousin Marco, one of more than 5000 in Italy since the pandemic took hold.
The former Champions League winner revealed his 42-year-old relative was a picture of health and hadn’t even been feeling unwell until the virus struck.
Now Porrini hopes everyone takes measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
He said: “My cousin was 42 and he is dead. I can’t believe it. It is unthinkable what has happened to him.
“He went out for a cycle with his wife and when he came back he didn’t feel well.
“He was in a lot of pain and was complaining of a really sore stomach. They took his blood pressure in the chemist and there was no issue with that.
“He went outside and sat down on a bench. His wife went to get him a drink of water from a nearby cafe and when she came back he was already dead.
“Initially they thought it was a heart attack but it wasn’t. They did an autopsy and his heart was okay and said it was coronavirus that had killed him.
“We have also been told the coronavirus has still to peak in Italy so the reality is things are going to get even worse.
“I know Scotland has yet to suffer as much but I would urge everyone to do all they can to stay safe and healthy.”
Porrini’s family suffered further heartache when his cousin’s wife and parents were forbidden from seeing him before the funeral.
He said: “How can you imagine something like that happening to a loved one? It is very sad.”
Porrini revealed Italian army trucks are now taking bodies away to bury them.
He added: “About 70 Army trucks went to Bergamo. They took some bodies of victims out of the city, there is nowhere to bury them.”
