Alan Brazil: Former Scotland forward ‘lucky’ to be alive

Former Scotland striker Alan Brazil says he is “very, very lucky to be here” after undergoing a liver transplant recently.

The 66-year-old, who now works as a broadcaster, revealed that his heart stopped beating during the procedure.

“I’d had ongoing trials and seen so many specialists and they decided I needed a transplant,” Brazil told Talksport.

“I finished [work] at quarter to 10 and at 10 I had to phone Addenbrooke’s Hospital. They said ‘get in right now’.

“At two thirty that afternoon I was on the slab and they opened me up. I was under for something like eight hours.

“They transplanted my liver. My heart did stop for a bit and it came back on its own.

“I’ll be frank, I’m very, very lucky to be here.”

Brazil had spells with Ipswich Town, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur among others during his playing career and is hopeful he can return to broadcasting in the coming weeks.

“I copped it, but thank God, luckily, the guys at Addenbrooke’s Hospital have saved my life,” he said.

“I am on the mend. Still not there, but I am getting there.”