GLASGOW, Dec 30: Motherwell midfielder Phil O’Donnell died after collapsing on the pitch during the Scottish Premier League match against Dundee United on Saturday, the club confirmed.

The 35-year-old was taken off the pitch on a stretcher 12 minutes from the end of the match, which Motherwell won 5-3.

“Phil was rushed to Wishaw General Hospital by ambulance after collapsing during today’s game,” the club said in a statement.

“Motherwell Football Club and Dundee United medical staff believe he suffered a seizure and efforts were made to revive him en route to hospital.

“Despite the efforts of the two club’s medical staff and medical staff at the hospital Phil did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead at 1718 (GMT).”

Motherwell owner John Boyle added: “This is an unspeakable tragedy for Phil’s family. At this stage we do not know the exact cause of death but the club is obviously liaising with the medical staff at Wishaw General.

“Everyone at Motherwell is shocked to the core and we are sure that everyone involved in Scottish football will feel the same. Phil was not only an inspirational player for Motherwell and club captain, but was an inspirational person.”

O’Donnell’s nephew David Clarkson, who also plays for Motherwell and had scored two goals in the match, was substituted shortly after O’Donnell had collapsed.

O’Donnell had also played for Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday.—Reuters