Andy Goram: Rangers pay emotional tribute and announce death of club legend, aged 58

Iconic Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has died following a short battle with cancer, the club has announced.

A legendary figure in the team’s silver-laden spell through the 1990s, the Scotland international was an important part of Walter Smith’s successful side and the nine-in-a-row league title triumph.

His displays earned him the nickname, simply known as ‘The Goalie’.

In total, Goram made 260 appearances for Rangers but also played for Motherwell and Hibs in Scotland’s top flight as well as Manchester United, Sheffield United and Coventry City south of the border.

He also earned first-class honours for the national cricket team, as well as 43 caps for Scotland.

Rangers’ website paid tribute to the 58-year-old, highlighting his stellar Old Firm performances throughout his Ibrox career, and added: “The thoughts of the directors, management, players and staff are today with Andy’s family, and would ask that their privacy is respected at this sad time. Funeral details will be communicated in due course.”

In total Goram played for 12 clubs through more than 700 games in addition to his international appearances which included both European Championships in 1992 and 1996. He was also named Scottish PFA and Football Writers’ player of the year during Rangers’ treble-winning 1992/93 season, and that year’s epic European run through the Champions League.

The goalkeeper’s recent health issues were made public just two months ago following his diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. Doctors’ initial prognosis gave ‘The Goalie’ six months to live through the terminal illness but last month Goram admitted his condition had become more severe. He began radiotherapy treatment and moved to a hospice in Airdrie.

Andy Goram in action for Rangers against Celtic in November 1996. (Picture: SNS)

Revealing his devastating news in May, Goram told the Daily Record he mistook the early signs of his illness as indigestion and initially turned down chemotherapy after his terminal diagnosis though he pledged to battle the disease before a more recent ‘severe turn’.

The 58-year-old’s first Scottish club, Hibs, sent a short social media message and posted a detailed website tribute: “Everyone at Hibernian FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Andy Goram following a short battle with cancer.”

Former Rangers players Nacho Novo and Andy Firth, himself a fellow goalkeeper, responded to Rangers’ announcement on Instagram. Novo wrote: “RIP legend” followed by tearful and heartbroken emoticons.

Craig Moore, a former team-mate at Ibrox, tweeted: “Unfortunately another huge loss to the Rangers and football family. The Goalie was a great team mate, all or nothing kind of guy and will never be forgotten. What a man. RIP.”

Goram began his career at Oldham and moved to Rangers from Hibs in 1991.

Old Firm adversary Pierre van Hoojidonk also sent his condolences from Holland, the ex-Celtic striker writing “R.I.P. Rangers legend Andy Goram. My condolences to his family,” on his @pierrevh17 account. Rangers paid tribute to Goram’s derby feats in the club highlight video, branding him ‘something of an Old Firm specialist’.

Goram was also voted by fans as the Greatest Rangers goalkeeper of all time and included in the Ibrox Hall of Fame.

As well as his unique cricket and football crossover, Goram was also the first player to complete the full collection of Scottish football medals – adding the Challenge Cup with Queen of the South to his Rangers haul in 2002.