FAMILY, friends and Scotland's famous Tartan Army have rallied round to support Bolton Wanderers' defender Colin Hendry, whose wife Denise is fighting for her life in hospital.

The former Scotland skipper said his family were clinging to the hope that his wife, who is on a life-support machine, would survive. She is still said to be "very poorly."

The legendary defender nicknamed Captain Braveheart by fans revealed the depth of his heartache as Denise, 35, battled for life in the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire.

She has septicaemia - blood poisoning - which can cause high fever and serious organ damage.

It can be more serious if the patient is unconscious like former hairdresser Denise.

Relatives and a nanny are looking after the couple's four children Rheagan, 12, Kyle, six, Callum, four and two-year-old Nhaimh.

Colin's grandmother, Margaret Hendry, 85, said the whole family was anxiously awaiting news.

Speaking from her home in Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, Mrs Hendry told how Colin's family had rallied round. Denise's parents, David and Catherine Duff, and Colin's parents, Eddie and Ann, had immediately travelled down with Colin's brother Graeme to lend their support.

Mrs Hendry said: "The family are all with Colin and Denise. Everyone's just doing what they can and waiting.

"There has been a slight improvement in Denise. My daughter Margaret said there was an improvement although Denise is still unconscious. So it gives us a glimmer of hope and everyone's a bit happier.

"The bairns don't know what's going on. They haven't told them yet, they're maybe better not to.

"Denise is a lovely girl and such a young woman too. It is just an awful thing to happen to such a nice lass."

Last summer, Colin and Denise returned to her native Dundee to help Karen Smith, her closest friend from childhood, launch a new hair studio.

Karen, 35, who spent the weekend at her best friend's bedside, said her family and friends were in a state of shock.

She added: "I've known Denise since we were kids and we worked together for a while in the same salon. It's hard to concentrate or think about anything else."

Molly Duff, Denise's 75-year-old granny who lives in sheltered housing in Dundee, was also praying for her grand-daughter. She said: "The family are trying not to worry me, but it's impossible not to get concerned.

"Denise was a bonny little girl and grew up to be a beautiful young woman. She lit up the lives of everyone who got to know her."

Denise and Colin met when they were both 18 and he was playing football in Dundee.

They married in St Leonard's Church, Dundee ,on June 6, 1987, three years after they first met.

Sandy Stables, chairman of Highland League club Keith, where Colin was discovered, said: "With Colin his family always comes first. All the football stuff pales into insignificance when something like this happens. I hope everything will turn out fine."

Former Keith manager Bobby Wilson said: "I just feel gutted for them both. Denise is a battler but we don't really know how serious it is."

The family's local vicar Canon Godfrey Hirst said: "They are a lovely down-to-earth couple who, whilst enjoying the fruits of fame, do not want to be famous.

"We have the family in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time." Colin's former Scotland colleagues also sent messages of support.

Colin Hendry has always been considered an icon to the Tartan Army who idolise the former national skipper they call Braveheart.

A host of messages wishing the family well has already appeared on the official Tartan Army website. Many of the messages are signed in the nicknames by which the Tartan Army footsoldiers are known.

Here are a sample:

Let's hope for Colin and his family's sake that she is as brave a fighter as he is - Ruary

Blessings and good wishes to them both - Mr Shangalang

As a Blackburn Rovers fan, Colin is 'Mr Blackburn', so here's hoping Colin tha your wife pulls through, you can do it Mrs Hendry!!!! - Anon.

Get well soon - Denise.

Best wishes Mrs Hendry, hope you get better soon - Diggie Don

Best wishes to your wife Colin, here's hoping for a speedy recovery - Wrighty

Hope the wife recovers quickly Colin. Here's hoping she makes a full recovery. Get well soon Mrs Hendry, our best wishes for your speedy recovery are with you - Alba Gu Brath

Best wishes to you and the wife Colin. Here's hoping that she's better soon - Wullie and Gill Anderson

Awrabest Col - Sacks

All our thoughts and very best wishes are with you and your family Colin. We hope and pray for a speedy recovery - Blackearnside

I'm sure Mrs Hendry has picked up some of Colin's battling qualities over the years. Get well soon. - Tartan Scouser

If she's got a tenth of the fight you have Colin, she'll make it easily. All the best - Wind Bag

All the best to the Hendrys, Our thoughts are with you!