McCoist vows to win final for brave boy Jack

May 11 2008 By Grace Macaskill

WHEN Rangers take to the field for the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday Ally McCoist will hold a very special wish in his heart.

The assistant manager wants to clinch the cup not just for his team but for a little boy who has fought a battle of his own...and won.

In January, Ally made a public appeal to find a bone marrow donor for seven-year-old Jack Rice, who suffers from a rare disease.

Three weeks ago, Jack underwent his transplant and is now home in time to watch the Manchester final against Zenit St Petersburg on TV with his family.

Rangers legendAlly said: "I want to win the cup for Jack.

"The wee man has had a really tough time and his illness puts everything in perspective.

"Everyone is talking about the battle we face on the football pitch but with Jack it's real life.

"I know Jack is a huge Rangers fan and will be watching and I just want us to beat Zenit for him. It would be a dream come true for everyone.

"Let's just hope we can get the three of us together soon - me, Jack and the cup."

Jack said: "We have a big, big TV at home where I will watch the game and I really want them to win."

The youngster suffers from aplastic anaemia, which attacks the immune system and means he can't produce blood cells to fight infections.

He was diagnosed before Christmas after developing dark bruises over his legs, chin and arms.

Doctors told parents Johnny, 40, and Carrie-Anne, 37, of Cumbernauld, near Glasgow, he was unlikely to survive without a bone marrow transplant.

His sister Jodi, three, was tested but she was not a suitable match.

Jack was already in isolation at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow, when Ally, 45, decided to help.

He had signed the Anthony Nolan Trust bone marrow register in 1999 after meeting inspirational Scots leukaemia victim Johanna MacVicar, who persuaded a host of celebrities, including Robbie Williams, to join her campaign. Johanna died, aged 27, in 2005.

Ally met Jack at Christmas when Rangers and Celtic players visited Yorkhill.

Carrie-Anne said: "It was Ally's support that kept Jack going throughout his illness.

"Now he is running about saying 'Ally's coming, Ally's coming'. We're so grateful to him for thinking about Jack, especially when he is so busy at the moment."

Jack has gone from strength to strength since his transplant and went home last weekend.

Carrie-Anne said: "The doctors are amazed by how well Jack is. He is making an incredible recovery."

Johanna's mum Angela, who works for the Anthony Nolan Trust, said: "Jack was lucky enough to find a donor.

"We hope more people will join the bone marrow register and give other children a chance of life."

To sign up, log on to www.anthonynolan.org.uk.

Ideal donors are men aged 18 to 40.

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g.macaskill@sundaymail.co.uk