Ex-Celtic and Scotland star Frank McGarvey has passed away at the age of 66, he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October.
Frank McGarvey : Cancer | What happened to | Wife
Frank McGarvey, the former Celtic and Scotland striker, who was mentored by Sir Alex Ferguson at St Mirren, has died at the age of 66.
McGarvey had made an emotional return to Celtic Park in October where, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he relayed his “love” and “thanks” to the supporters after scoring more than 100 goals in helping the club to win five trophies. “Celtic Football Club is because of the fans,” he said.
A native of Glasgow, McGarvey began his professional career at St Mirren, where he was signed by Ferguson and part of a team that won the Scottish First Division.
Ferguson, said McGarvey, had challenged him to prove that he could score in big games before the decisive match against Dundee in 1977 and he duly registered a hat-trick in a 4-0 win.
Frank McGarvey cancer
Former Celtic, St Mirren and Scotland striker Frank McGarvey has been diagnosed with cancer, his family announced last night on social media.
His sons Scott and Sean posted messages on their Twitter accounts confirming that McGarvey senior, aged 66, had been diagnosed with cancer.
The identical messages read: ‘Unfortunately our Dad received a cancer diagnosis yesterday and we are waiting on more information from the experts.
His last game for Celtic was in 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 for a second spell, he won the Scottish Cup again in 1987 before finishing his senior career with Queen of the South — where he served as 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.
What happened to Frank McGarvey
Celtic legend Frank McGarvey has passed away at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last October.
Tributes have been paid to the former Celtic and St Mirren striker Frank McGarvey, who has died at the age of 66.
"Just to look at the Celtic End and look at the Celtic fans cheering. When I was a wee boy brought up in Easterhouse I dreamed of those things."
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 1, 2023
RIP, Frank McGarvey 🍀💚 pic.twitter.com/jvyUYprIYr
McGarvey, who also played for Queen of the South and Clyde and won seven caps for Scotland, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.
Celtic said in a statement: “Everyone at Celtic is extremely saddened to hear of the death of former striker Frank McGarvey, who passed away earlier this morning at the age of 66.
The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Frank’s family at this extremely sad time.”
McGarvey opened up about his battle with “sneaky” pancreatic cancer after making an appearance on the Parkhead pitch before the game against Hibernian in October. “I was at Celtic Park to see the Hibs game and when I walked out and the fans sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, that made me so determined to fight on,” McGarvey said.
After returning to St Mirren for a second spell, he won the Scottish Cup again in 1987 before finishing his senior career with Queen of the South — where he served as player-manager — and then Clyde.
Wife
Pauline McGarvey is the surviving wife of the widow of Frank McGarvey.
They had been married for close to two decades. They tied the knot in 1978 to 1997.