FORMER Ayr United and Scotland manager George Burley is undergoing treatment for cancer, his former club Ipswich Town have announced.

The 68-year-old represented a number of clubs as both a player and manager, and was born and brought up in Cumnock.

The former defender, who won 11 caps for Scotland and managed his country between 2008 and 2009, helped Ipswich win the 1978 FA Cup and 1981 UEFA Cup.

In a statement released by the Tractor Boys, Burley said: “After feeling unwell earlier this year, I have recently received a diagnosis and I am taking positive action to fight the disease.

“It has been a difficult time, but I am feeling much brighter now.

“In fact, I am able to get to matches at Portman Road and I am enjoying watching the team playing back in the Premier League.”

He added: “We are grateful to the club for the support they have shown me and my family and I would ask that everyone is respectful of our privacy at this time.”

Burley joined Ayr United as a player-manager in 1991, succeeding Ally MacLeod. In his first season, he took the Honest Men to the B&Q Centenary Cup Final and again reached the final of the competition the following season.

However, he failed to take Ayr back to the Premier League and was sacked in 1993 with the team struggling in the First Division.