Jackie McNamara: I know how close I came to death, says ex-Celtic captain

‘Feeling lucky is the biggest emotion’

Former Celtic captain and Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has spoken for the first time about his brain haemorrhage. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS

Jackie McNamara has expressed his gratitude for the quick thinking of his wife Samantha and speedy reaction of paramedics for saving his life after he collapsed with a brain haemorrhage.

In his first interview since the health scare which stunned Scottish football in February, the former Celtic captain said he feels fortunate to be alive.

McNamara, now recovering at his home in North Yorkshire, revealed his family were warned by medical staff he “might not wake up again” after he had major surgery at Hull Royal Infirmary.

And the 46-year-old has become acutely aware of how fortunate he was to avoid the tragedy which befell former Rangers winger Davie Cooper who died at the age of 39 after a brain haemorrhage in 1995.

“I know how close I was to death,” McNamara told The Scotsman. “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 and he has had to return to hospital twice but has been told he doesn’t need further surgery.

“Immediately after the initial operation, when they had to put me into an induced coma, they told Sam I might not wake up,” he added. “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.”

The ex-Scotland defender has been overwhelmed by the goodwill from by the football community, especially since it has cut across traditional rivalries.

“All of the well-wishing I received was incredible,” he said. “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.”

McNamara is making a gradual return to work as head of his Consilium Sports Group, a sports and entertainment management firm based in Edinburgh. Their charity arm will be supporting Headway, the brain injury association, to raise funds and also increase awareness of the issues he has faced.

McNamara admits the scare has given him a fresh perspective on live his.

“Because you’ve been close to death, the health specialists speak to you about the possibility of suffering post traumatic stress disorder,” he said.

“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.”

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