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George Burley reveals cancer diagnosis as ex Scotland and Hearts boss upbeat about battle

George Burley has released a statement on his cancer battle

George Burley is undergoing treatment for cancer as the ex-Scotland and Hearts boss issued a statement.

The 68-year-old was recently diagnosed after beginning to feel unwell earlier this year. However, he remains upbeat and insists he is currently feeling much better and has been getting along to watch Premier League new boys Ipswich, where he is a legend after almost 1000 games as player and manager.

Burley led the Portman Road side to a fifth place in the top flight and qualification for Europe having only just been promoted from the Championship the year before, and was named the Premier League manager of the year. He has released a statement on his health battle through the club.

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He said: “After feeling unwell earlier this year, I have recently received a diagnosis and I am taking positive action to fight the disease. It has been a difficult time, but I am feeling much brighter now. In fact, I am able to get to matches at Portman Road and I am enjoying watching the team playing back in the Premier League.

“We are grateful to the Club for the support they have shown me and my family and I would ask that everyone is respectful of our privacy at this time.”

Current boss Kieran McKenna said: "This club has had some brilliant managers and George is right up there as one of the very best. It has been a pleasure to get to know George since I arrived at Ipswich. He is a positive and optimistic character, and I know he will also take that attitude into the battle he now faces. We are all right behind him.”

Burley would go on to become Hearts boss in the early days of the Vladimir Romanov and had them sitting top of the league early on in the 2005/06 before the madcap Lithuanian inexplicably sacked him. He would later manage Scotland between 2008 and 2009.

The Jambos have released a statement which reads: "The thoughts and best wishes of everyone at Hearts is with our former manager, George Burley, as he undergoes treatment for cancer."

The SFA said: "Wishing our former Men’s National Team manager George Burley well, as he begins treatment for cancer."

A spokesperson for Derby County, where he also served as manager, said: "Sending the club's best wishes to our former manager George Burley, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. You have the full support of everyone at Derby County, George."