Rab sang Hearts songs as he drifted to sleep

HEARTS fanatic Rab McLean has died hours after holding the Scottish Cup in his arms in his hospital bed.

Club officials took the trophy to the Western General on Sunday to surprise the 59-year-old season ticket holder as he battled multiple sclerosis.

But his condition had deteriorated so badly he and his family decided the time had come to remove tubes attaching him to a ventilator.

Rab lost consciousness holding the Cup, surrounded by his family, and softly singing Hearts songs.

His son, David, 29, of Bonnyrigg, said: "As he fell asleep, the Cup was in his hands, and he was trying his hardest to sing Hearts songs, although he could only say the words very quietly under his breath."

Rab was a well-known figure at Tynecastle and had become friends with Hearts skipper Steven Pressley after the player visited him.

The team came second only to his family in his affections. He even tricked doctors at the Western General Hospital into letting him attend the Scottish Cup semi-final by claiming he had to go to a christening.

David added: "He was a man who suffered MS for 25 years but never once complained.

"Nothing held him back, if he wanted to do something he did it. In March, despite being very ill, he went to Euro Disney in Paris. He wanted to take his grandchildren to meet Mickey Mouse.

"If he had something in mind he wanted to do he would do it - such as seeing the Cup semi-final."

After losing consciousness on Sunday, Rab died on Monday morning from chronic pneumonia brought on by his MS.

In the weeks before his death, Rab and David planned his funeral, which will take place at Warriston Crematorium on Friday, at 1pm. Up to 200 people are expected to attend.

David said: "The Hearts memorial song, Hearts of Glory, will be playing.

"My dad loved that song about Hearts players and fans from the First World War.

"He was very proud that he had seen Hearts lift the Scottish Cup three times.

"He saw them with his own father in 1956. He saw them win it again in 1998, and this year the whole family was there so it was extra special."

Rab's widow Margaret, 54, of Dochart Drive, Drumbrae, said: "Steven is absolutely gutted. I told someone at the club a couple of years ago that Rab idolised Steven and then he turned up at our house on Christmas Eve. They got on instantly."

She added: "About 110 messages of condolences have been left from people all over the world on the Hearts website, wishing me all the best and asking if I will be keeping my season ticket.

"I will be, but it will be strange without Rab. Maybe I will take my two-year-old grandson along when he is a little older."

A Hearts spokeswoman said: "Everyone at the club sends their condolences to Margaret and the rest of the family.

"We are all deeply saddened. Rab was a great character who touched everyone at the club."

Taken from the Scotsman