Ibrox stars teamed up to share memories of Andy Goram in one of his favourite pubs as they “tried to process” his death aged 58. The former players, along with loved ones of the legendary goalkeeper, raised a glass to him after he lost his battle with cancer.
Goram died at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie on Saturday, weeks after being told he was terminally ill. Former Gers team-mates John “Bomber” Brown, Charlie Miller and Gordon Durie joined his son Danny and close friends Stan Gordon and Baz Gilmour to raise a glass in his memory.
Ex-Rangers defender Marvin Andrews also joined the group at the Stonefield Tavern in Blantyre, Lanarkshire. Goram – nicknamed The Goalie – was diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer in April. It came after he thought he was suffering heartburn and indigestion.
The icon had been in the hospice for three weeks after he became too ill to be treated at home. Loved ones including Danny, ex-wife Miriam, Brown and former Gers striker Ally McCoist were with him in his final moments.
Stan, who was close to Goram, came home early from a holiday in Tenerife last week after being told his pal’s condition had worsened. He told how Goram kept his spirits high by reliving the key moments of his glittering career with former team-mates and on-field rivals.
A vital save against Eric Cantona against Leeds United in a Champions League play-off at Elland Road in 1992 was a highlight. Goram thwarted the Frenchman early in the match before Rangers took the lead through Mark Hateley.
The Gers won the match 2-1, progressing 4-2 on aggregate. Stan, who owns the Stonefield, said: “Everyone close to Andy is devastated. Although we knew he was terminally ill it’s still a huge shock to lose him.
“He was larger than life, warm and generous. His close pals and family came back to the pub after he passed away. We just wanted to be together as we tried to process what had just happened. A few of us had a drink in his memory.”
Stan revealed Goram faced his illness with bravery and refused to feel sorry for himself.
He added: “Andy took on board his diagnosis really quickly and accepted what the doctors had told him even though it was a massive shock.
“He didn’t waste any time asking, ‘Why me?’ He just wanted to get everything sorted out before he died. From there, he just tried to make the best of his situation and make sure that people around him didn’t feel uncomfortable or upset.
“He enjoyed going over some of the amazing highlights during his career with his old team-mates. That really kept him going and there was a lot of good banter at times.
“Him and Bomber had good chats about key moments in games – like the early save he made against Cantona in the Battle of Britain.”
Supporters continued to lay tributes to Goram outside Ibrox stadium yesterday. The club announced Goram’s death in a statement online.
The Goalie signed for the club in 1991 from Hibs in a £1million deal. He went on to win five league titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups in a seven-year spell.
Goram, who also had spells at Oldham Athletic, Motherwell and Manchester United, was voted the club’s greatest ever goalkeeper by fans in a poll.
His funeral arrangements are expected to be announced within the next few days.
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