CELTIC great Jackie McNamara has today spoken publicly for the first time since suffering a brain haemorrhage in February and thanked wellwishers for their "overwhelming" messages of support.

The former Scotland defender posted a video message on Twitter this afternoon and paid tribute to all of those who helped him after he suffered his health scare.

McNamara, who was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary after collapsing at his home in York, looked well as he vowed to continue his recovery during the coronavirus lockdown.

“I’m delighted to give you my first message since my health scare in February.,” he said. “I’d just like to thank everybody for all their messages of support, obviously the paramedics who helped save my life and get me into the hospital and the neurosurgeons who did the operations when I had my brain haemorrhage.

“Recovering from that has taken a bit of time, but I am on the right road. I have one more operation to go. I am not quite sure when that will be, but I am feeling good about that and getting back to normal. I am back to work just now which is great.

“As were the messages of support from people. When I came out of the coma it was such an overwhelming experience seeing all the messages and hearing about people praying for me and stuff. I would really like to thank you for that. It really helped me through a difficult period."

McNamara revealed his foundation Consilium will work with the charity Headway, who support those who have suffered brain injuries, and host a golf event to raise funds.

“I think it’s a fantastic thing,” he said. “Having gone through what I’ve gone through in the last few months I recognise the importance of that. Their support is immeasurable.

“It is a difficult time just now with the lockdown, but it has given me a chance to recover. You can see my hair cut is not the best, but hopefully in time as the lockdown passes I will start to look back to myself again. Hopefully everybody is staying in and doing everything properly, staying safe, helping the NHS and saving lives.”