Sir Kenny Dalglish: Turning 70? It is only when reminded I get a wee fright

I’ll celebrate my 70th birthday on Thursday. I suppose when you get to this stage, every birthday is a landmark year!

I’m far from being a teenager anymore, but I tend not to think about my age. It’s only when someone reminds you that you get a wee fright!

But it’s at such times that you do take a wee moment to reflect and I know that I have been able to have a life more fortunate than many others.

For that, I will always be grateful. I’ve tried never to take anything, or anyone, for granted.

I’ve had lots of help over the years and been extremely fortunate to have had a brilliant wife and children. We now have the grandchildren to keep us going.

The support and guidance I’ve had from family and friends over the years hasn’t been forgotten.

It’s thanks to everyone that I’ve had such a nice life and whether people have been in the public domain for it, or been in the background, they know I’m appreciative for all of it.

I’ve also had the good fortune of being in dressing rooms over the years with some great team-mates.

Some of the fellas were in a different class.

Indeed, I spoke to one recently and we had a great conversation. Full of laughs. It was Gordon McQueen.

The big man has been in the news in the past week as his family announced he has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. News such as that is never great to hear.

But Gordon was in fine form when we spoke. It made my day to catch up with him.

We reminisced about some of the games we played together for Scotland and the pleasure we got from beating England!

Great times, indeed.

I wish him well and I know, backed by his loving and caring family, he’ll have the spirit and determination to fight this illness.