In light of the recent tragic death of Motherwell skipper Phil O’ Donnell, the Scottish Premier League has decided to postpone the game between Celtic and Rangers. The keenly anticipated clash was originally to be played on January 2, but no future date has been fixed for the match. O’ Donnell, who died after collapsing on the field in Motherwell’s 5-2 victory over Dundee United, played for the Bhoys between 1994 and 1999.
O’ Donnell’s transfer of 1.75 million pounds in 1994 still remains the highest ever fee that Motherwell have received for a player. He returned to the Fir Park club after a decade which was spent in stints with Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday. Because his nephew David Clarkson was also at Motherwell, O’ Donnell earned the nickname ” Uncle Phil “.
Phil O’ Donnell’s death is the latest in the growing list of players that have succumbed to ailments on the footballing field. Cameroon’s Marc Vivien Foe ‘s collapse is something that several Manchester City have never managed to come to terms with. Hungary’s Miklos Feher met with a similar fate while playing for Benfica. This is not the first tragedy that Motherwell have had to face. Winger Davie Cooper lost his life in 1995 while filming for a training video.