Gary Lineker has taken to Twitter to deliver a warm tribute to Kenny Dalglish after Liverpool announced Anfield’s Centenary Stand is to be renamed The Kenny Dalglish Stand.
The decision has been taken by owners Fenway Sports Group to honour the Kop legend in Liverpool’s 125th anniversary year in recognition of his immense contribution to the club.
Match of the Day host Lineker is in no doubt it is well deserved and reported on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday night that he was “chuffed” for Dalglish, who he described as “a truly great footballer and a brilliant bloke”.
Chuffed that @LFC have honoured their finest with the Kenny Dalglish Stand at Anfield. A truly great footballer and a brilliant bloke.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 3, 2017
Former Tottenham, Everton and Leicester striker Lineker played against Dalglish during his playing days and appears to have also got to know him off the pitch.
It will be 40 years in August since Dalglish’s love affair with Liverpool started following his £440,000 move from Celtic at the age of 26.
Arguably the finest player in the club’s history, he scored 172 goals in 515 appearances and went on to have two successful spells as manager. In total he lifted eight league championships, three European Cups, two FA Cups, five League Cups and one UEFA Super Cup.
Off the field, Dalglish provided immense leadership in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 and has been a pillar of support for the families in the ongoing fight for justice.
He and his wife Marina have also helped to raise more than £9million for charity through the ‘Marina Dalglish Appeal’ which helps those who have been diagnosed with cancer on Merseyside.
Liverpool principal owner John W Henry said in a statement on the official Liverpool website: “It is testament to Liverpool’s history and status that we are not lacking in truly great individuals, whose names could easily grace a stand at Anfield.
“But in Kenny Dalglish we have a person who carries such immense significance to the fabric of this club, so it feels somewhat incumbent on us to recognise this in a manner that is befitting to the man.
“He is unique, not just to Liverpool, but to the game in England as a whole, having achieved greatness as a player and then enjoyed such success as a manager. His record and trophies won on both fronts speak for themselves.
“However, Kenny’s contribution to Liverpool goes beyond goals scored, points amassed and silverware placed in the cabinet. His values are Liverpool’s values – he represents what is best about this football club.”
Dalglish currently holds the position of a non-executive director on the Liverpool board.