Jackie McNamara’s former Celtic team mates were praying for his recovery on Monday night as he battled for his life in a Hull hospital.
And amid their shock and anguish frantic Simon Donnelly has been prevented from rushing to the bedside of stricken best mate after spending three days stranded on a storm-lashed Scottish island.
News of McNamara’s sudden illness has come as a devastating blow to the world of Scottish football. The 46-year-old underwent brain surgery on Monday after collapsing outside his family home in York on Saturday and failing to regain consciousness.
Donnelly, who is also a business partner with his former Parkhead and Scotland team mate, was one of the first to learn of McNamara’s plight.
But he’s been unable to cut short a holiday on Arran because of the winds that have been battering country since Saturday have also stopped ferries from sailing to the mainland.
One of their former Celtic team mates Alan Stubbs told Record Sport : “Simon went away for the weekend to the Isle of Arran. He’s been trying to get back ever since he found out on Saturday but the ferries have been off because of the weather.
“He’s been beside himself. It’s such a worrying time for everybody but obviously Jackie and Sid have always been the best of mates. The pair of them been pretty much inseparable over the years.
“Everyone is worried sick and all our thoughts are with Jackie’s wife Sam and the kids.
“I found out on Saturday when I received a phone call from a former team mate and my first reaction was obviously shock. I’ve been in a state of shock ever since to be honest with you.
“It was the last thing I thought I was going to hear when the phone rang and it’s been hard to think about anything else ever since.
“All you can do is hope that the operation is a real success and that he comes through it fine and makes a full recovery.”
McNamara was believed to be in a serious condition last night after Monday’s surgery. It’s understood he collapsed after suffering a bleed on the brain while walking the family dog on Saturday.
And another former team mate, Paul Lambert told Record Sport of the shock which greeted the news.
Lambert said: “Jackie’s like the boy who never grew up. He never seems to get any older. So when I heard it on Saturday I was like, ‘Jesus Christ Almighty! No Way!’
“It’s just horrific. A great guy and a great great player. I realise it’s very easy to say these things at times like this but it’s absolutely true where Jackie is concerned. You always knew you were in safe hands when Jacke was at your back.
“I played with him for eight years. He was just a great guy to be around. I just can’t believe he’s going through this. I just hope he comes through it and makes a full recovery.”
