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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Former Celtic and Motherwell star Phil O'Donnell remembered on anniversary of midfielder's tragic death

Motherwell have paid tribute to club legend Phil O'Donnell on the 15th anniversary of his tragic death.

O'Donnell, who twice won the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, collapsed on the pitch on December 29, 2007, just as he was about to be substituted during a clash with Dundee United.

He was rushed to nearby Wishaw General Hospital but later died of heart failure. He was just 35 years old.

O'Donnell, who hailed from Wishaw, was part of the Steelmen's famous Scottish Cup winning squad of 1991 and he went on to lift the trophy again with Celtic in 1995, as well as the Scottish Premier Division with the Hoops in 1997/98.

Today marks 15 years since his untimely passing and Motherwell chief executive posted a tribute on Twitter this morning saying: "Like everyone who was at Fir Park fifteen years ago, that awful day is imprinted in my mind.

"I think about Phil and his lovely family often and I hope they have strength in what I can only imagine is a tremendously tough time of year.

"He was brave as a lion on the pitch, but I was fortunate enough, albeit all too briefly, to experience his kindness and generosity off it.

Phil O'Donnell in action (SNS Group)

"I hope he continues to rest in peace."

He signed off his post with #Forever10 in reference to O'Donnell's shirt number, which has been retired at the club since O'Donnell's passing.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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