Graeme Souness describes her as his “inspiration” and “the most unique human being I’ve ever met”.
And Isla Grist, the 14-year-old for whom he swam the Channel this week, calls the once fearsome footballer Graeme “marshmallow – hard on the outside but soft on the inside”.
Millions have been moved by the remarkable friendship between Isla, who suffers from a rare skin condition which causes her body to blister and tear, and the football legend, who often breaks down in tears when talking about her.
