Former Celtic, St Mirren and Scotland striker Frank McGarvey has cancer, family announce

The family of former Celtic player Frank McGarvey have revealed that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

The 66-year-old, who also played for St Mirren and had a short spell at Liverpool, made 245 appearances for the Hoops and scored 113 goals between 1980 and 1985.

Sons Scott and Sean posted identical messages on their Twitter accounts confirming the news.

The tweet’s read: “Unfortunately our Dad received a cancer diagnosis yesterday and we are waiting on more information from the experts.

“Will update here when we know more.

“Thanks for all the support and well wishes. Paul, Sean, Scott and Jennifer.”

The thoughts of everyone at #CelticFC are with Frank McGarvey and his family at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/YzsFv11k0N
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 8, 2022

Celtic posted on their social media channels on Saturday saying: “The thoughts of everyone at Celtic FC are with Frank McGarvey and his family at this difficult time.”

McGarvey, from Glasgow, joined St Mirren in 1975 and stayed at the Paisley club, where he played under Alex Feguson, for four years before making a £270,000 move to Liverpool in 1979.

He returned to Scotland the following year without making a first team appearance on Merseyside to join his boyhood heroes, where he won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup.

His last game for Celtic was the 1985 Scottish Cup final against Dundee United where he scored the winner in the 2-1 victory at Hampden Park.

After returning to St Mirren he won the Scottish Cup again in 1987 before finishing his senior career with Queen of the South, where he was player/manager, and then Clyde.

McGarvey played seven times for Scotland, making his debut as a late substitute in a Home International Championship game against Northern Ireland at Hampden Park in May 1979.