PLZ Soccer › Watch › The Football Show › Celtic News
The Football Show · 17 September 2026
We pay tribute to Celtic and Scotland legend Danny McGrain, following news that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Peter remembers a boyhood hero he ranks alongside Kenny Dalglish, the panel celebrate a full-back regarded in his era as the best right-back in the world, and the conversation turns to the growing link between football and dementia.
Who is Danny McGrain?
Danny McGrain is a Celtic and Scotland legend, widely regarded in his prime as the best right-back in the world, alongside Germany's Paul Breitner. Equally comfortable at left-back, he was a buccaneering attacking full-back who overcame a fractured skull and diabetes during a remarkable career, and remains an eternal hero at Celtic Park.
What does the panel say about dementia in football?
Prompted by McGrain's diagnosis, the panel discuss the growing toll of dementia on former players, from Jim Craig to Nobby Stiles and Jeff Astle, the work of campaign groups raising awareness, and whether the game should do more to support affected families given the scale of the care involved.
Our thoughts are with Danny McGrain and his family.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Danny McGrain diagnosed with Alzheimer's
0:15 Peter Martin pays tribute to a boyhood hero
0:34 "The best right-back in the world"
1:06 Still as funny as ever: the Coatbridge painting story
1:43 The left-back debate McGrain solved
2:26 His humour and one-liners
2:51 The attacking full-back who "never scored goals"
3:42 The hurdles he overcame: fractured skull and diabetes
4:20 The toll of dementia on footballers and families
5:02 An eternal hero at Celtic Park
5:24 Dementia in football: Jim Craig, Nobby Stiles, Jeff Astle
6:00 Should football pay reparations to affected families?
6:34 Play PLZ Predictor
Play PLZ Predictor (sponsored by Lucky Tiger) - win a car or £10,000: https://bit.ly/plzpredictor
Get 10% off Hummel teamwear: https://www.teamkits.com (code PLZSOCCER10)
The Journos is PLZ Soccer's no-spin Scottish football panel show with Peter Martin and the country's leading football writers. Subscribe and join the football family.
#DannyMcGrain #Celtic #CelticFC #ScottishFootball #Scotland #TheJournos #DementiaInFootball #PLZSoccer
PLZ Predictor · Scottish league tables · Scottish football news