O'Donnell tragedy shocks the game

The death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell has left British football in a state of shock.

O'Donnell died shortly after suffering a suspected seizure during a league match against Dundee United on Saturday afternoon.

Tributes poured in as Scottish football remembered a player described by former Scotland boss Craig Brown as "a perfect gentleman" and "an ideal role model".

O'Donnell, who was 35, was taken off the pitch at Fir Park on a stretcher in the closing stages of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League match.

He was about to be substituted in a match Motherwell won 5-3, but fell to the pitch as the change was taking place.

After being treated for around five minutes on the field, the former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder was carried off on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance and taken to Wishaw General hospital.

He died at 5.18pm, the club announced.

O'Donnell's nephew, striker David Clarkson, was also playing in the match, and was substituted after being alarmed by the incident.

Motherwell owner John Boyle said: "This is an unspeakable tragedy for Phil's family.

"Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person. All of us at Motherwell are thinking of his wife Eileen and their four children."