FORMER Rangers captain Dave MacKinnon has paid tribute to his ‘wonderful brother’ after revealing the sad news of his passing.
And the former Ibrox favourite fears Alan may have been infected with the deadly West Nile virus.
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MacKinnon, 68, was a key player for Rangers during the 1980s.
He made 168 league appearances for the Light Blues during a four-year spell between 1982 and 1986.
A trainee with Arsenal, the Glasgow-born defender also featured for Dundee, Partick Thistle, Airdrieonians and Forfar.
MacKinnon took to social media earlier on Thursday to share the sad news that his brother Alan had passed away.
READ MORE RANGERS STORIES
Sharing a video of pipers playing in the city centre, MacKinnon said he and his wife made the trip to town in memory of his brother.
MacKinnon posted: “Had a spontaneous day in the toon of Glasgow today with my wonderful wife, after a requirement to be grounded following the tragic death of my young brother Alan.
“The talented young pipers were a start, then a magnificent meal at the Ivy to his memory.
“Life is precious enjoy.”
As well wishes and tributes poured in, MacKinnon revealed that his brother had tragically passed away after contracting encephalitis.
It’s a serious condition that leads to the brain becoming inflamed.
The symptoms of West Nile virus
ABOUT 80 per cent of people with West Nile virus won’t have any symptoms.
But those that do have them might experience the following two to 14 days after being bitten:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Headache
- Tiredness
- A rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Stupor
- Vision loss
- Numbness
- Neck stiffness
- Diarrhoea
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Coma
- Paralysis
Source: World Health Organization
Explaining the devastating circumstances surrounding his brother’s passing, MacKinnon shared his fear that Alan had been infected by the West Nile virus.
The virus has been sweeping Europe this summer with eight deaths having been attributed to it so far this year.
Sharing a picture alongside his brother, MacKinnon explained: “Thanks to all for your kind thoughts, he was on holiday in Cyprus and may have been bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile virus sweeping Europe.
“It resulted in encephalitis and he was one of the small per-cent who couldn’t fight it.
“A good man and a wonderful brother.”
Former BBC journalist Jim Spence was among those to pass on their condolences to MacKinnon after he shared the sad news.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Following retirement, MacKinnon worked for BBC Radio Scotland.
He also held senior boardroom roles at Kilmarnock, Dundee, Hamilton and Morton.
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Laura Adams is a tech enthusiast residing in the UK. Her articles cover the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets, providing readers with a glimpse into the future of technology.
