Rangers legend Andy Goram died with two of his former teammates and family by his side. John 'Bomber' Brown told how he and Ally McCoist were in tears as they said a final farewell to their much-loved pal.
Goram, 58, had bravely fought oesophageal cancer but moved to St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie last month after being told in April
he had only six months to live.
An emotional Brown told the Sunday Mail: “He was a one-off, a great guy and we loved him. I like to think he’d be up there in heaven now pestering Walter Smith and Jimmy Bell.”
Former Rangers manager Smith died on October 26, 2021, while the side’s much-loved former kit-man, Bell, passed away earlier this year, on May 2.
After being given the awful news about his condition earlier this year, it worsened more quickly than the specialists had predicted and Goram passed away shortly before midday yesterday. He organised his own funeral days before he died.
Rangers fans flocked to the club’s Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow to pay tribute and laid flags and scarfs at the gates. Among them yesterday afternoon was a lone Celtic scarf, which showed how grief can unite a city divided by football rivalries.
And supporters also left pairs of goalkeeper’s gloves hanging on the stadium’s gate in a poignant tribute to The Goalie. Brown revealed he and McCoist were with Goram’s son Danny and ex-wife Miriam when he took a turn for the worse at the hospice.
He added: “He probably got longer than a normal human being because of his attitude – he was a fighter. He fought right to the end.
“There was some relief that the medication took the pain away the last few days. He was sleeping a lot. He was at peace at the end. There were a lot of tears in the room. It’s very sad. The family are content he is now at rest.”
Goram had spent the last few weeks in St Andrew’s after becoming too ill to be treated at home. The former Scotland star had been diagnosed with stage four cancer after thinking he was suffering from indigestion.
The world of football, including former teammates and clubs he’d played for, also paid warm tributes last night and shared anecdotes of his character.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expressed her sympathy, calling him “one of Scotland’s all-time football greats”. In the weeks up to
his death, he’d spent hours reliving highlights of his glittering career with former teammates and rivals, including ex-Celtic striker Frank McAvennie.
Defender Brown, who played with Goram in the Rangers team of the 90s, added: “The last couple of weeks have been tough. When his body was giving up on him, his brain was still sharp. A few days ago he couldn’t really say a great deal but the life in his eyes told me he was still sharp.”
Born in Bury, Goram began his career at Oldham Athletic before moving north to play for Hibs in 1987 prior to signing for the Light Blues. He also had spells at Notts County, Sheffield United, Motherwell for three seasons and Manchester United, where he helped the Red Devils claim the Premier League in 2001.
Goram also played in goal for Hamilton Accies, Coventry, had another spell at Oldham, Queen of the South and then lastly Elgin City. During his time at Queens, he became the first player to complete the set of Scottish medals when he claimed a Challenge Cup medal to go alongside winners’ prizes in the Scottish top flight, Scottish Cup and League Cup.
Goram won 43 caps for Scotland and was the first-choice goalkeeper for both Euro 92 and Euro 96 in Sweden and England, respectively. He was a member of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame and was named both the Scottish PFA and Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 1992/93 – arguably the strongest campaign in Rangers’ history.
Goram also played cricket for Scotland and remains the only person to have played a first-class international match at cricket as well as a major international football match for Scotland. He played a pivotal role in Rangers’ legendary nine-in-a-row team under Smith.
Away from the football field, he was a larger-than-life character, popular with the big personalities in the squad. And he was loved by supporters.
Brown said: “Andy was just that type of guy who people loved – he was great entertainment. The Goalie could hold a room and tell a story. He was a massive character on and off the park.
“His personality suited a massive club like Rangers. We had so many good nights out, parties, celebrating winning trophies.
“But Andy was dedicated to his sport, his profession. He trained so hard, everyone wanted to be on his side in the training games because you had a 95 per cent chance of winning.”
Goram signed for Rangers in 1991 from Hibs for £1million. He left Rangers in 1998 but continued to play top-flight football for fivemore years.
Goram’s life was often surrounded by controversy and he was said to have walked out of Scotland’s World Cup squad in France in 1998 when he was told he would be back-up to Jim Leighton.
He was also forced to deny he was a bigot when he faced criticism over his strong links in Northern Ireland.
He also battled alcoholism and credited his close pal and teammate Brown with helping him conquer his addiction.
In May, Goram spoke openly to the Daily Record about his diagnosis. He said: “I’ll fight like I’ve never fought before. The word inoperable hit me hard. I knew I was in for a fight. I’ll be here as long as I possibly can. The only difference is the timebomb ticking away.”
Goram’s funeral details are expected to be announced in the next few days.
Announcing his death yesterday, Rangers said: “Rangers Football Club are today deeply saddened to announce the death of our legendary goalkeeper, Andy Goram, following a short battle with cancer.
“The thoughts of the directors, management, players and staff are today with Andy’s family.”
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