Source: Team_Talk
Hoops fans praise for 'hero' Hartson
The 34-year-old fans' favourite has been diagnosed with testicular cancer which has also spread to his brain.
Hartson was given the shock news at the weekend following tests at the Singleton Hospital in Swansea after complaining of severe headaches.
Despite his playing career with Celtic coming to an end in 2006, Hartson's media commitments with Setanta and the Scottish Sun meant he was still a familiar face in Scottish football.
The Hoops faithful have now given their full backing to the former Arsenal, West Ham and Luton forward as he begins a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, said: "He was a larger-than-life player. When he played, he played wholeheartedly.
"He was a genuine lad, he scored a lot of goals and he was a good player.
"Let's hope he is going to make a full and quick recovery.
"If anyone can do it, he can. You could see he was a strong-willed person and he will give it his best shot.
"I don't think there is any doubt about that.
"He was one of our major heroes and really well liked and appreciated by the fans. He always gave 100%.
"It's so sad that something like this could happen to someone so young, he is still a very young man and has a young family.
"It's a real tragedy and we just wish him well with his treatment.
"Hopefully he will make a full recovery."
Former Wales team-mate Andy Legg, who himself battled cancer, expressed his shock at Hartson's diagnosis.
"I was lost for words and didn't know what to say," he told BBC Radio Wales.
"I'm hopefully going down to see John tomorrow. If I can be of any help in any way I'm here for him and my thoughts and best wishes go out to his family as well."
Legg, who now manages Llanelli, added: "He's a strong man, pretty strong willed as well so that will help him."
Hartson was signed by Martin O'Neill in a £6million deal in 2001 and went on to score 89 league goals for Celtic, as well as being voted Player of the Year by both his fellow professionals and the Scottish Football Writers' Association.
