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Celtic legend Jackie McNamara is now “awake and talking” a close pal said today.

The news comes just a day after the Celtic and Scotland hero underwent an emergency brain operation at a hospital in England.

Earlier medics had said dad-of-three McNamara was in a “critical but stable” condition following the operation after a suspected brain bleed.

The Daily Record revealed on Monday how the 46-year-old Celtic star was rushed to hospital on Saturday after collapsing near his home.

And today close friend Paul Larkin tweeted: “Jackie is now awake and talking. Still very early days but keep those thoughts and prayers going folks.”

He ended the tweet with a thumbs up emoji.

A family friend told the Record: “Jackie was out walking the dog on Saturday near his home in York.

(Image: SNS)

“He became unwell quite quickly and he headed back to his house.

“But he must have been really poorly because he did not make it back into the house.

“He collapsed on the doorstep and his family found him."

McNamara, who won 33 caps for Scotland and made 256 appearances for Celtic, remains in intensive care.

But there was no update from McNamara’s family, and Larkin’s tweet was later taken down.

A spokeswoman for Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We can confirm Jackie McNamara was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary on Sunday night and is currently being cared for in our Intensive Care Unit. He remains in a critical but stable condition.

“We are supporting both Jackie and his family, who request their privacy to be respected at this time.”

The Record revealed on Monday how McNamara, husband of Samantha, 49, and dad to Erin, 22, Sidney, 15, and Evie, 14, was rushed to hospital in York on Saturday before being transferred to hospital in Hull.

Daughter Erin took over his twitter account on Monday night to thank worried fans for their support, and asked for privacy in the coming days.

The tweet read: “This is Jackie’s daughter. Thank you for all your kind words and support.

(Image: SNS)

“My dad is getting the best care possible, as you can all understand this is difficult for us as a family and request privacy at this time.”

A number of Jackie’s old team-mates at Celtic and Aberdeen have issued their support for the former defender as they wait on news.

Jackie underwent brain surgery on Monday afternoon.

Ex-Celtic teammate and now business partner Simon Donnelly, 45, was left stranded on the Isle of Arran as the news emerged because of the storms battering the country.

One of their former Celtic team mates Alan Stubbs told Record Sport: “Simon went away for the weekend to the Isle of Arran. He’s been trying to get back ever since he found out on Saturday but the ferries have been off because of the weather.

“He’s been beside himself. It’s such a worrying time for everybody but obviously Jackie and Sid have always been the best of mates.

“The pair of them been pretty much inseparable over the years.

“Everyone is worried sick and all our thoughts are with Jackie’s wife Sam and the kids.

“I found out on Saturday when I received a phone call from a former team mate and my first reaction was obviously shock. I’ve been in a state of shock ever since to be honest with you.

“It was the last thing I thought I was going to hear when the phone rang and it’s been hard to think about anything else ever since.

“All you can do is hope that the operation is a real success and that he comes through it fine and makes a full recovery.”

The ex-player, who is now a consultant for Dunfermline Athletic FC and a director of four companies, collapsed after suffering a bleed on the brain while walking the family dog on Saturday.

Another former team mate, Paul Lambert told Record Sport of the shock which greeted the news.

Lambert said: “Jackie’s like the boy who never grew up. He never seems to get any older. So when I heard it on Saturday I was like, ‘Jesus Christ Almighty! No Way!’

“It’s just horrific. A great guy and a great great player. I realise it’s very easy to say these things at times like this but it’s absolutely true where Jackie is concerned. You always knew you were in safe hands when Jackie was at your back.

“I played with him for eight years. He was just a great guy to be around. I just can’t believe he’s going through this. I just hope he comes through it and makes a full recovery.”

Well-wishers were quick to respond to pal Larkin’s tweet.

One said: "Go on wee man!"

Another said: "Prayer does work, as Paul says, keep it going.”

And another said: "If that’s true, thank God.”

One user wrote: “Great news. It will be a long road but hope he makes a full recovery. One of life’s all round good guys.”