GOALKEEPER Alan Main has spoken of his pride in his son, who has won his battle with a brain tumour that cut short his blossoming career with Rangers and Scotland.

The former St Johnstone No 1 launched an appeal to raise funds for a brain cancer charity after his son Nicholas, 18, was diagnosed with the tumour.

Nicholas has now been given the all-clear after months of treatment at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

The teenager, known as Nicky, was struck down with the disease in October last year and was forced to put his lifelong dream of becoming a professional footballer on hold while he was undergoing chemotherapy.

Experts had predicted a bright future for the former Perth Academy pupil, who plays in midfield, and he has already been called up to represent his country at under-17 level after rising through the ranks of Rangers youth team.

Nicky, of Perth, confirmed to friends on Facebook he had now been given the all-clear.

He wrote: "Just received the best news ever! I've been given the all clear! I'm absolutely delighted!"

He received messages of congratulations from friends, as well as his teammates at Rangers.

Rhys McCabe, who has recently broken into the Rangers side, wrote: "Delighted for you wee man", while defender Kyle McAusland wrote: "Brilliant news mate, really glad to hear that."

His father, who enjoyed a 20-year playing career with St Johnstone, Dundee United and several teams in the lower leagues, was a goalkeeping coach at Rangers after he retired from first team football.

Together with Nicky's mother, Ann-Marie, Mr Main put a message on the Justgiving website, which has been set up to collect donations for the charity Brain Tumour UK.

The family statement said: "So proud of our 18-year-old son Nicholas, who is bravely fighting a battle against a rare brain tumour.

"The brain tumour has, for the moment, prevented Nicholas from pursuing his football career – something he's worked his whole life for.

"We are trying to raise money, just to give something back to the charity that has helped us through our journey and hopefully it will help others in the future.

"A donation is a donation, however small. Give what you can afford.

"Thanks for taking the time to look at our just giving page. The Main Family."

Fans and fellow professionals from across Scotland sent out messages of support yesterday after learning of Nicholas's struggle.

Fans from both sides of the Old Firm put aside their rivalry to unite in sympathy over the teenagers' plight, while Celtic manager Neil Lennon said on Twitter it was "awful news" he had been suffering from the tumour and posted a link to the fundrasing website.

He was joined by Celtic goalkeeping coach Stevie Woods, who wrote: "Very best wishes to Nicky Main of Rangers. In our prayers tonight."

The Rangers Supporters Trust released a message saying that their thoughts were with the youth player.

Jim Sinclair, director of Murray Park Academy, where Rangers' youth team plays, said: "We were shocked and upset when we heard the news of Nicholas' illness and everyone at the club sends him our very best wishes and we all wish him a full recovery."

The family has set a target of £5000 and has so far raised around half that amount.

Donations, which had already been coming in from friends and football supporters who have held various charity fundrasing nights to raise money, leapt after more people learned of the news.

The youngster scored with a penalty for St Johnstone against Manchester United in his father's testimonial match in Perth back in July 2010.