The loved ones of Rangers hero Andy Goram will mark one year since his death by planting a tree at his favourite beauty spot.
The tribute was confirmed by his friends and family the day before the first anniversary of his death on July 22, 2022. The Ibrox legend lost his battle with cancer after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer just months earlier.
His former wife Miriam Wylie explained that arrangements were being made to plant a cherry blossom tree in a popular site in Scotland that the goalkeeper cherished. Andy and Miriam married in 2001 and split in 2004, but remained friends with her helping to care for him as he fought his illness, the Daily Record reports.
The plans come just as his son Danny prepares to marry his fiancée Chelsea next week.
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Publican Miriam said: “We can hardly believe it’s been a year since Andy died. We talked about what sort of memorial we could create for him. He liked cherry blossom trees so we decided to arrange planting one for him.
“But we found out it’s not as straightforward picking a spot. We need to get permission from certain people and also make sure that the tree won’t be uprooted after a few years.
"So it’s taken a bit longer to arrange than anticipated but we hope to get it sorted out soon.”
The location of the tree will be kept a secret so that it can be a place for close friends and family to pay tribute. Miriam said final preparations were being made for the wedding of Goram’s son Danny to his long-term partner Chelsea in England.
Miriam added: “Danny was so proud of his dad and last year was tough for him and Chelsea, so there’s no doubt Andy will be remembered on the day.”
Ex-Hibs, Motherwell, and Manchester United player Goram revealed he was battling terminal cancer last May in a shock diagnosis after feeling unwell. He turned down chemotherapy after it was expected the treatment would only extend his life by a couple of months.
Cancer specialists predicted Goram – nicknamed The Goalie – would live for six months. But his condition quickly worsened and he died within a few weeks, aged 58.
He was surrounded by loved ones including ex-Gers teammates John Brown and Ally McCoist at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie. Nine-In-A-Row hero Goram signed for Rangers for £ 1 million in 1991. He went on to win five league titles, three Scottish Cups, and two League Cups.
He was voted Rangers’ greatest-ever goalkeeper by the club’s fans and was capped 43 times for Scotland There was an outpouring of grief among football fans after his death and his ashes were buried under the Ibrox pitch following a ceremony held by his family and friends.
His remains were placed inches behind the centre goal line at the stadium’s Copland Road stand during a private service in August last year. His son Danny was given permission to pour the ashes into a specially-prepared urn under the pitch.
The ceremony was led by Rangers’ chaplain Reverend Stuart McQuarrie. Last July, hundreds of fans lined the streets in Glasgow to pay tribute to Goram before his funeral.
