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Tuesday 28 December 2010

Former Red and Glasgow Rangers Cohen dies

British Blogs

Former Liverpool player Avi Cohen has died following his recent motorcycle accident.
The news was announced at a press conference by Cohen's son, Bolton Wanderers midfielderTamir Cohen, and confirmed by the Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
Cohen was 54 and played for Liverpool from 1979 to 1981, scoring the goal which secured the 1980 First Division title. The former Israel international also had a short spell with Rangers, moving to Ibrox in 1987.
Tamir Cohen said: "Dad died of brain death. Thanks to all the people of Israel for their support and assistance." The Bolton player had flown out to Israel to be at his father's bedside following the former Liverpool defender's crash, which occurred on 20 December.
On behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers football club, our thoughts are with Tamir and his family with the news that Avi Cohen has passed away.
Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers manager
Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: "On behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers football club, our thoughts are with Tamir and his family with the news that Avi Cohen has passed away. We are saddened by this news and we would request the Cohens' privacy is respected at this time."
West Ham manager Avram Grant said of his fellow Israeli Cohen on Sky Sports: "I know him personally, he was a great man, a great player and my sympathy is with his family."
Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist was shocked to hear of the death of his former team-mate, whose 12 appearances for the Ibrox side included a 1987 League Cup final success over Aberdeen.
McCoist told the club's official website: "I'm absolutely shattered as are all the boys who got to know Avi during his time at Rangers. We knew his situation was bad but never for a second did we think it would come to this.
"He was an absolute gentlemen. His football talent was obvious but he was just a lovely, lovely man. Avi and Bonny Ginzburg both came from the same neck of the woods and myself and Durranty [Ian Durrant] got on with them so well.
I can still see his smile and his laugh, he was just a diamond of a guy. All our thoughts are currently with his family who must be absolutely devastated right now.
Ally McCoist, Rangers assistant manager
"In fact a couple of years ago when we played Hapoel Tel Aviv we spoke to Avi and Bonny also came to the hotel. So we kept in touch and it is just so sad to hear that he has passed away. I can still see his smile and his laugh, he was just a diamond of a guy. All our thoughts are currently with his family who must be absolutely devastated right now."
"Avi was a lovely man who will be remembered fondly by everyone at Liverpool who knew him," Kenny Dalglish told Liverpool's official website. "He quickly integrated himself into the football club when he joined us and spent a lot of time learning English which really made him popular."
Dalglish, now Liverpool's academy ambassador, played in the same team as Cohen and recalled the Israeli's most famous game. "He was well liked by all the lads and although he didn't spend a long time at the club, he certainly left his mark and no-one will forget how he helped us win the league against Aston Villa," Dalglish said. "My thoughts and those of everyone connected to the club are with Avi's family."

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