Football - FA Cup - Quarter-Final - Manchester United, ManU FC v Liverpool FC MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 17, 2024: Liverpool s L-R chief executive officer of football for Fenway Sports Group Michael Edwards, club secretary Danny Stanway , Ian Rush, non-executive director Kenny Dalglish during the FA Cup Quarter-Final match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Imago Images
Scotland manager Steve Clarke has pledged that his squad will dedicate their World Cup campaign to lifting the spirits of legendary icon Kenny Dalglish following his cancer diagnosis.
The football world was left in shock after news emerged that Dalglish, a celebrated figure at Celtic, Liverpool and with Scotland, is now facing the biggest battle of his life.
Clarke, who served as Dalglish’s right-hand man during their time together in the dugout at Anfield, says there is no better medicine than watching Scotland make history this summer.
He said: “It’s obviously come as a bit of a shock for everyone.”
Clarke added: “But I know Kenny well and I’m sure he’ll deal with this the way he has dealt with every other difficult situation in his life and we all wish him well.”
The Scotland manager was quick to highlight the towering significance Dalglish holds within the national game, describing him as a true Scottish icon and record holder.
“Obviously he’s got a very important status with the national side. He’s the record cap holder and joint record goal scorer and he’s a Scottish icon,” Clarke said.
Clarke delivered a heartfelt message about what his team hopes to achieve during the tournament, framing it as a collective national effort to bring some joy to Dalglish.
“The whole country will be behind him and if we can do something in this tournament to make him feel a little bit better then great. That’s what we will try to do – that’s what we want to do,” he said.
Clarke also reflected on the broader impact Scotland’s performances have had on public morale over recent years, suggesting the team has a responsibility to keep that momentum alive.
“I think, over the last seven years, we’ve helped a lot of people to maybe feel better about their country and better about the national team. So let’s continue that through the summer,” he said.
Clarke and Dalglish have maintained a long-standing relationship stretching back to their days as players together in the same Scotland squad, with the bond clearly remaining strong.
The manager also revealed that Dalglish has played a mentoring role for Liverpool and Scotland skipper Andy Robertson during his decade on Merseyside.
Clarke explained: “We don’t speak regularly but we still keep in touch after we’ve had a game or whatever, there’s always a quick phone call.”
He added with warmth: “It’s a difficult one to answer because it comes up with no number on your phone and you can’t be sure who’s going to be on the other end of the line!”
Clarke credited Dalglish’s guidance as instrumental to Robertson’s early development at Liverpool, saying he played a key role in explaining what the club meant and stood for.
“He’s also been good for Andy Robertson at Liverpool in terms of his early years there, telling him what the club is about. But he’s had a big influence on the careers of a lot of people and he certainly had an influence on mine. So, just personally, I would like to wish him well,” Clarke concluded.
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