Alan Hansen played as a central defender for Partick Thistle, for the successful Liverpool team of the late 1970s and 1980s, and for Scotland. As a football pundit, he became known for his outspoken views, particularly on teams' defensive performances, frequently criticising what he believed was “diabolical” or “shocking” defending. He made his name as a pundit on Match of the Day from 1992 to 2014.

Alan was born in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, and attended Lornshill Academy and supported Rangers growing up. His paternal grandfather was Danish. At the age of 15, Hansen ran into a plate-glass panel after playing volleyball and was left with a large scar on his forehead. The glass was in a brand-new youth club which Hansen attended. During his two-hour hospital stay he had 27 stitches in his head. He sued the education authority and won the case. Alan stopped playing football between the ages of 15 and 17 and concentrated on playing golf, with aspirations of becoming a professional. His father and brother wanted him to play football, so he accepted the offer of a trial with Hibernian when he was 17. Hibernian manager Eddie Turnbull offered Alan a professional contract, but he refused because it would have stopped him from playing golf competitively.

Alan played his early football (along with his brother John) at Scottish Junior league club, Sauchie Juniors near Alloa in Clackmannanshire. He turned down the opportunity to study at the University of Aberdeen, in order to join his older brother, John, at Partick Thistle. During the summer while his application was being processed, he worked for six weeks in the offices of General Accident insurance — which he hated. As a trainee, Alan attended the 1971 Scottish League Cup Final, seeing a Partick Thistle side that included his brother John create one of the biggest shocks ever in Scottish football by defeating favourites Celtic 4–1 at Hampden Park.

Such were the masterful mid-70s performances of Alan Hansen in the heart of the Thistle defence that it was clear to all and sundry that he was destined for the very top. Even as a Partick Thistle player, Alan won several caps for Scotland at under-21 and under-23 levels. As he developed, he was being keenly tracked by top clubs, including Bob Paisley's Liverpool. In 1975–76 season, Alan played 34 times in all competitions as Thistle won the Scottish First Division championship to gain entry into the Scottish Premier Division. By the end of the following season Alan was near ever-present with 50 competitive first team appearances. The inevitable big time move finally arrived in May 1977 and, it has to be said, the £100,000 transfer fee paid by Liverpool was a steal. At Anfield, his winners medals include 8 league titles, 3 European Cups, 2 FA Cups and 4 League Cups. Around £400,000 would have been nearer the mark in 1977, thank you very much.

After arriving at Anfield, the nickname which he loathed for years ('Stretch') was forgotten and a new nickname 'Jockey' was born. He made his debut on 24 September 1977 in a league match at Anfield. Derby County were the visitors and were beaten by a single goal scored by Terry McDermott. Hansen hit his first goal the following month on 19 October during a European Cup 2nd round 1st leg tie at Anfield. He opened the scoring in the 14th minute as Liverpool demolished East German side Dynamo Dresden 5–1. Alan was put into the first team sporadically throughout the season. He was not in the side which lost the 1978 League Cup final replay to Nottingham Forest, but he was selected for the Liverpool side which won the 1978 European Cup Final 1–0 over FC Bruges at Wembley, on a goal by Kenny Dalglish. Hansen managed 18 appearances in the First Division that season, where Liverpool finished runners-up to Nottingham Forest.

The 23-year-old finally got going as a fully-fledged internationalist in May 1979, debuting in a 0-3 Home Championship defeat to Wales in Cardiff. John Toshack finally had his revenge on Alan Rough that day, netting a hat-trick. Alan's baptism of fire continued the following month against the World Champions when young Diego Maradona ran Scotland ragged at a sweltering Hampden; Scotland 1 Argentina 3. Hansen would later comment: “without a shadow of a doubt the best player I came up against. He was virtually unplayable – even at 18.” Thankfully you don't play world champions every week and results would soon improve. A string of excellent performances in the World Cup qualifiers in 1980 and 1981 ensured that Alan earned his place at the World Cup '82 but it would be another heartbreaking exit on goal difference for the nation. In the deciding game against the U.S.S.R. Scotland needed a win to qualify, whereas the Soviets required only to draw. It was locked at 1-1 with 6 minutes remaining when disaster struck. A long ball over the top was going to be easily dealt with by Willie Miller but, for some inexplicable reason, Alan lost his cool and tried to get there first, meaning that he just wiped out Willie, leaving Georgian Ramaz Shengelia with a one-on-one with Alan Rough, which he executed perfectly. The drama was far from over though as Graeme Souness equalised just 2 minutes later. We really had the beating of them, but it was too late for the Scots, who were very unlucky in the end.

Despite playing at the highest level on the domestic front, there were just 9 further caps for Alan Hansen in the next 5 years, as Scotland rotated central defence with the likes of Willie Miller, Alex McLeish, David Narey and Paul Hegarty all in the mix. Alex Ferguson didn't select Hansen for the Mexico '86 World Cup, and you're really left contemplating why Alan's international career wasn't quite what it should've been, one of life's little mysteries.

Away from football, Hansen has always been a keen golfer, and plays off a handicap of three. He regularly returns to the town of his birth near Alloa in Clackmannanshire, Scotland to participate in celebrity golf tournaments in aid of various charities. He has hosted documentaries on the sport and worked at the Masters Tournament for the BBC. He has also presented programmes on the rise in status and wealth of the modern footballer and has appeared in television adverts, such as for Carlsberg and Morrisons supermarkets. Hansen lives in Southport with his wife Janet. They have been married since 1980 and have a son Adam and a daughter Lucy.

Alan is included in our feature piece, The Definitive Who's Who Of The Partick Thistle Internationalists →

1976 - SFL FIRST DIVISION