THE family of former Pars star Jackie McNamara have said he is "making progress" but has a "long road to recovery" after he collapsed near his home.

The 46-year-old's daughter, Erin, provided an update on his condition last night (Wednesday) after taking to social media to thank the public for their "continued support".

McNamara, who last January took on a role assisting the Athletic board in a consultancy capacity, was rushed to hospital in York on February 8 after falling ill.

The following day, he was transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary, where his condition was described as "critical but stable".

It is believed McNamara, who spent four years as a player with Dunfermline before moving to boyhood heroes Celtic in 1995, had suffered a bleed on the brain.

News of his condition prompted an outpouring of support from across Scottish football and, posting on her dad's Twitter page, Erin said: "Thank you for the continued support for my dad, the past week has been so overwhelming for us as a family.

"He is making progress but still has a long road to recovery. We are so thankful for all the care he's received and remain positive."

Among those expressing support for the former Scotland international were former Pars management team Bert Paton and Dick Campbell, who were in charge when he made the move to Celtic Park.

Campbell, currently boss of Arbroath, was Paton's number two, and last week told Press Sport: "I am very close with Jackie and Samantha (his wife).

"He played for us and I was lucky to be at his wedding, his testimonial and his 40th (birthday). It's a friendship going on 30 years.

"Knowing Jackie as I do, he is a fighter. He is a lovely boy and human being, and all I would ask is say a prayer for him."

Paton, who with Campbell took charge at East End in 1993, said: "He was a great lad and great around the dressing room. He was very well-liked.

"We weren't surprised that he went on to do as well as he did. He worked really hard at his game.

"He has a heart as big as himself, and it would take a lot to bring him down. He's a fantastic boy with a nice family."

After signing for the Pars on an S-form in 1991, McNamara headed for Glasgow four years later, and went on to enjoy a stellar 10-year career with Celtic.

In a decade that also saw him captain the club, he won four league titles, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups, as well as being part of Martin O'Neill's squad that reached the 2003 UEFA Cup final.

McNamara then went on to play for Wolves, Aberdeen and Falkirk before finishing his playing career with Partick Thistle, who he went on to manage.

He also took charge at Dundee United - where he worked with current Pars stars Paul Paton and Ryan Dow, as well as Scotland captain Andy Robertson - before moving to York City in 2015.

After being unable to prevent them being relegated to the National League, McNamara became the club's chief executive in October 2016, before leaving in March 2018.

Following the appointment of Stevie Crawford as Athletic's head coach last January, McNamara, with his sports consultancy firm, Consilium Sports, then became involved with the club once more in a role "providing ongoing technical support to the board".