Former Aberdeen FC captain Russell Anderson has reassured fans that he is “absolutely fine” after collapsing at his family home at the weekend.
Get well messages have flooded in for the recently-retired skipper – who played his last ever home game at Pittodrie just last month – after he was rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Sunday night following the ordeal.
The 36-year-old, who has two sons and a daughter with wife Claire, recently moved into a business development role at the club, where he will be remembered as the man who captained the Dons to League Cup glory against Inverness in 2014 to end a 19-year trophy drought.
Yesterday, boss, Derek McInnes, said it was not entirely clear what had happened, but that every test possible had been carried out to get to the root of the problem.
Speaking at the Old Course Hotel at St Andrews yesterday, where the Dons are based for their pre-season training camp, McInnes said he spoke to Anderson that morning, and that he was in good spirits.
It is understood he was discharged from hospital last night.
“They just wanted to keep him for 24 hours and do the tests to rule everything out, more than anything,” he said.
“He’s talking away fine. One or two of the players have spoken to him, I spoke to him this morning and prior to coming in here.”
McInnes accepted that what happened was “outwith the norm”.
“It’s not something you expect with a guy of his age and fitness. So it was a surprise to us all last night when we heard the news,” he said.
“They need to get to the bottom of it, so it doesn’t happen again.”
Anderson made his farewell bow at Pittodrie in the final match of the season against St Johnstone on May 24.
He said: “While nothing will ever beat playing, the fact I’m being given the opportunity to remain with the Dons is definitely the next best thing and I’m really looking forward to the next chapter of my career.”
He made 413 appearances for the Dons, 85 of them since his return in 2012 after leaving Derby County.
He won 11 caps, but had an injury troubled career and made only one appearance for Sunderland after a £1m move from Aberdeen in 2007.
He said: “The injuries were frustrating but I’ve seen players whose careers have been cut short by injury and they haven’t managed to make that decision themselves.
“There are plenty of players who have had more successful careers than me but I’m happy with how things have gone.”
Fans flooded football forums with get well messages, with many hoping that all he needs is rest.
“Here’s to a speedy recovery,” said one fan on the Aberdeen FC forum.