Rangers & Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has provided a hugely positive update on the health of Alan Hansen.

The Scotland icon was last week taken into hospital with a serious illness.

Liverpool confirmed the news as they issued a statement saying their prayers were with the 69-year-old.

Now, in a major update on his condition, Souness has revealed that Hansen could be on his way to a 'full recovery'.

Speaking on talkSPORT this morning, Souness detailed a conversation he had on the phone with his former teammate, as he shared his delight that he was able to chat with him as he normally would.

“I spoke to him yesterday and he sounded fabulous so I hope that’s him on the way to a full recovery," he told Jim White & Simon Jordan. "He’s definitely back because he did nothing but take the Mickey out of me!

“I’ve been speaking to his son and Janet his wife and I’ve been phoning his phone, his phone number. I got on the train on Sunday and I was looking for my seat and my phone rang and I could see it was Big Al.

"I was thinking ‘Oh no, don’t answer that’. So I sat down and got the courage to phone back and he answered the phone.

He’s been in a difficult place but the way he sounded yesterday, he’s back, and I hope I’m right.”

Liverpool's statement last week read: "The thoughts and support of everyone at Liverpool FC are with our legendary former captain Alan Hansen, who is currently seriously ill in hospital.

"The club is currently in contact with Alan's family to provide our support at this difficult time, and our thoughts, wishes and hopes are with Alan and all of the Hansen family.

"We will provide any further updates as we receive them in due course, and we request that the Hansen family's privacy is respected at this time."