Alan Hansen's Biography

Alan Hansen was born on 13th June, 1955, in Alloa, Scotland.

He was one of the best centre backs of his generation and is now a respected BBC sport pundit.

Hansen was a clever child but refused to go to university in 1973 so he could join Partick Thistle, where he played over 100 games in 4 years.

In 1977, Alan Hansen moved to Liverpool and in his first season the Merseysiders won the league and European cup, although he was very rarely in the first team.

In 1979, he became the first choice centre back after Emlyn Hughes left and got his first international cap for Scotland. Over the next 3 years Hansen won 2 League titles, 2 European cups, and 1 League cup.

In 1982, Alan Hansen was selected for Scotland's World Cup squad but they failed to progress to the second round. Hansen, along with his teammate Willie Miller was guilty of a terrible mix up which allowed USSR forward, Ramoz Shenglia through the defence, to score.

In 1984, the European Cup returned to Anfield, when Liverpool won the final against Roma on penalties. They also completed the treble by winning the League and League Cup.

However, 1985 was a completely different story as Liverpool finished the season with an empty trophy cabinet. And in Alan Hansen's last European match against Juventus, in Heysel, there was serious rioting and 39 Juventus fans died. The season after, Hansen was made captain.

Hansen always struggled to get into the Scottish national squad and ended his career with only 26 international caps.

Alan Hansen eventually hung up his boots in 1991 after struggling with a knee injury.

After his retirement, there were rumours that he would go into coaching or management, but he denied all these claims saying he was not interested. Instead he became a respected commentator and for more than 10 years he has been one of the main soccer pundits for the BBC.

In 1995 he famously commented on the Man United team which contained many young players that "You won’t win anything with kids". That season United won the League and the FA cup double, coming back from 12 points behind to beat Newcastle to first place by 4 points. Alan Hansen was suitably contrite.

Alan Hansen's other credits include being a columnist for the Daily Telegraph and he is the main expert for the BBC for all international football matches.