BOLTON Wanderers manager Owen Coyle spoke of his hope that his player Fabrice Muamba would pull through as it emerged paramedics could not get his heart to start beating on its own for almost two hours.

The 23-year-old remained critically ill last night after he collapsed from a cardiac arrest during Saturday's FA Cup tie at Spurs and will remain in intensive care until at least this morning.

Scottish football has given its support to the player who fell to the ground at White Hart Lane at 6.11pm in front of millions of television viewers watching the tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers.

He went into cardiac arrest and paramedics were unable to start his heart until he reached London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green, east London.

Yesterday, Bolton's Scots manager Owen Coyle said: "We certainly hope he comes through this. If he pulls through it would be marvellous."

He also thanked those who had sent messages of support to the family.

"We have been inundated by good messages, everyone praying for Fabrice which is very important," he said.

"It has been a real source of strength for the family. We know how difficult a time it is for everyone.

"I can't really quantify it (the support). It has been incredible, not just from the football world.

"It is great to be talented at football but it's more important to be a genuinely nice man and everyone recognises Fabrice is that."

Scotland manager Craig Levein, who was Dundee United manager when Phil O'Donnell died from heart failure, aged just 35, during their game with Motherwell in 2007, told of his shock.

He said: "It's an unbelievably unusual situation. It just brings it home that we are all vulnerable."

Rangers said: "Thoughts are with Fabrice Muamba, his family and friends."

Celtic said: "We are praying for Fabrice Muamba."