Former Celtic striker Frank McGarvey has been diagnosed with cancer, his family has announced on social media. The Celtic legend’s son Scott and other members of the family posted the worrying update on social media last night confirming that McGarvey senior, aged 66, had been diagnosed on Thursday.
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.
— Scott McGarvey (@scottmcgarvey1) October 7, 2022
The message from the McGarvey family stated: “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.”
Frank started out at St Mirren before winning a move to Liverpool in 1979, netting Saints a transfer fee of £270,000. That was some Liverpool team and Frank was down the pecking order so when Celtic came in for him he was delighted to come back up the road in March 1980 to sign for the club he supports.
He scored a late winner in his first match against Rangers at Celtic Park and the Celtic support really did fall in love with the striker who would always give 110% while wearing the Hoops.
Frank McGarvey won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup at Celtic and he scored the winner with an unbelievable header from a Roy Aitken cross in the 1985 Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United before being rather harshly released by the club.
He came back to Celtic Park as as St Mirren player the next season and received an incredible ovation from the Jungle and the rest of the Celtic support and in 1987 helped Saints lift the Scottish Cup.
Frank 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.
More recently Frank has been part of a Celtic podcast with his great pal Tommy Sheridan.
Frank McGarvey and Tommy Sheridan embrace the Celtic Da’s Podcast tag https://t.co/co076pvxAR @citizentommy @Boola_vogue @CelticNation67 @AICSC2014 @CelticGossip
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 29, 2022
We wish Frank all the very best and with his fighting spirit he’s going to come through this just fine.
Frank was a hero to many Celtic supporters, his unselfishness, workrate and ability to read the game really did help Charlie Nicholas emerge as such a top talent in that exciting Celtic team of the early 1980s.
As we used to sign in the Jungle: “There’s only one Frank McGarvey,” and we’re likely to hear that being chanted at McDiarmid Park today.
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
Keeping former Celtic striker Frank McGarvey in our thoughts & prayers as family reveal this evening he has been diagnosed with cancer.. 💚 #YNWA pic.twitter.com/HpS1p98g37
— Babs McMahon 🇵🇸 #MakeNMHOurs #RememberMyNoah💙 (@BarbaraMcMahon8) October 7, 2022
Everyone associated with the CSC is sending love and prayers to our pal and club Legend Frank McGarvey who battles illness . We all know he won’t take this lying down and like everything else he will give it one hell of a fight . We are all with you Frank . God bless 🍀 pic.twitter.com/8cDPo1sd65
— Dubai Hoops CSC (@DubaiHoopsCSC) October 8, 2022
Thoughts of everyone at Whitacres Wolves are with Celtic legend Frank McGarvey and his family at this time. Frank was a last-minute guest to our first awards day back in 2017, stepping in after a late call off and was amazing with the kids. A great footballer and a great man ❤️ pic.twitter.com/czxQ7Czk8H
— Whitacres Wolves (@whitacreswolves) October 7, 2022
Saddened to read about Frank Mcgarvey get well soon 🙏, I would argue Frank’s goal in the 1985 scottish Cup final is as good a headed goal you’ll likely see in a cup final,a great goal to win the scottish Cup as a celtic fan himself must have been a dream for him 🍀HH Frank
— ogman (@manog70) October 8, 2022
