Former Rangers manager and Scotland player Alex McLeish has said he is “hugely honoured and humbled” to be recognised in the New Year Honours list.
The ex-footballer, who is involved with organisations including Crohn’s and Colitis UK and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice Glasgow, is made an OBE for services to charity.
Fife-born sports presenter Hazel Irvine, who is also Honorary President of Enable Scotland, also received a CBE eor services to Sport and to Charity.
Glasgow-born McLeish made nearly 700 appearances as a player for Aberdeen and during his time there won the 1983 European Cup Winners’ Cup, the European Super Cup, three Scottish Premier Division titles, five Scottish Cups, and two Scottish League cups.
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As a footballer for the national team he earned 77 caps for Scotland including appearances at three World Cups in 1982, 1986 and 1990.
He was Rangers manager between 2001 and 2006 and also had two spells as Scotland manager.
McLeish said: “I am hugely honoured and humbled to receive this OBE in recognition for my career in football and my charitable work.
“This is a proud moment for myself and my family and I’m grateful to the Honours Committee for this fantastic award.”
McLeish also held managerial roles at clubs Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Motherwell, Hibernian, Birmingham City, Genk and Zamalek.
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He has shown his dedication to making a positive impact beyond the world of sports through his commitment to charitable causes.
He has helped raise more than £200,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and is an ambassador for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, helping to fundraise and increase awareness about Crohn’s and Colitis.
The former footballer has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Linn Moor VSA, a specialist support for young people with additional support needs on the outskirts of Aberdeen.
And he is an ambassador for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice Glasgow.
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