Alan Hansen comforted by his 'first love' during recovery from serious health scare

Liverpool's best news of the transfer window has already come through. Alan Hansen has been pictured out on the golf course , as he continues his recovery following hospitalization last month.

There were fears for the Liverpool legend's life at one stage, but these pictures show Hansen firmly back on his feet. Not only that, but playing sport.

It's a hugely heartening update in regard to a player who is respected well beyond the four walls of Anfield . Ultimately leaving Match of the Day because of nerves , he nonetheless endeared himself to the nation throughout a long stint as a pundit.

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That was after a storied career as one of Liverpool's greatest ever defenders. He amassed over 600 appearances across more than a decade, winning a host of top honors.

But he was almost never a footballer at all. Upon his retirement from Match of the Day, he revealed that golf was his original passion.

"Golf has always been my first love," he admitted to the BBC . "I stopped playing football between the ages of 15 and 17 to concentrate on playing golf. My brother was playing football at the time and he thought I was crazy.

"My father wanted me to be a footballer so just to placate him I went on trial at Hibs when I was 17. It was a week before I was playing in the Scottish Boys' Strokeplay at Montrose.

"Eddie Turnbull, who was the Hibs manager, brought me into his office after five days and said he wanted to sign me on professional terms. I said: "What, I'll just pack in playing golf? I'm going to Montrose to play in the Scottish Boys' Strokeplay, I'm never playing football again." He said: "Are you an idiot?"'"

Mr Turnbull might just have made one of the most significant interventions in Liverpool Football Club's history. Hansen ultimately chose football, of course — although he has never turned his back on golf entirely.

In his retirement, he has attended a number of charity golf events, as well as playing in his spare time. He returned to his native Sauchie in Scotland for a charity event in 2013, and has previously hosted his own event on Merseyside .

It's nice to see him being able to return to his first love as he continues his recovery. We continue to wish him all the very best.

Liverpool.com says: It's remarkable how many professional athletes seem to be elite at other sports too. It sounds like Hansen had a genuine decision to make between football and golf.

But it's nice he has been able to continue playing golf well into his retirement. To see him out playing less than a month after being discharged from hospital is incredible.