I’m an ex-Celtic star who had to undergo emergency surgery – I would have gone blind in one eye without it

FORMER Celtic star Magnus Hedman has revealed his relief after almost going blind in one eye.

The Sweden international keeper made 36 Hoops appearances across three seasons before hanging up his boots in 2005.

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Hedman later came out of retirement to join Chelsea, but never played for the Blues before leaving in 2007.

The 51-year-old previously spent four seasons in the Premier League with Coventry City, playing 134 league games for the Sky Blues.

Capped 58 times, Hedman now works as a mind coach in Sweden.

But he underwent surgery in a Solna hospital on Sunday after losing the sight in his right eye.

Doctors found the ex-player had suffered a detached retina.

Hedman admitted: “If I hadn’t gone in as an emergency, it would have been over.

“It started when I saw lightning. I thought it would just go away, but it was like I had a curtain covering my retina.

“The hospital took me in right away. I had to lie down without a pillow for a day, then had surgery on Sunday morning.

“If I hadn’t gone in I would have gone blind.

“It was important not to get stressed.  It is scary, and I thought about losing my sight.

“But I told myself: ‘Stay calm – you’re in the right place now.’

“They called in the anaesthetist straight away.  He came in on the Sunday, and I joked that I’d messed up his weekend.

“The vitreous body becomes softer and more fragile the older you get.  If you get a blow in your eye it can also have an effect, and I’ve had a few during my career.

“If you don’t act quickly, and the retinal detachment goes over the macula, then you’re screwed.

“You realise that things can change very quickly.  Vision is a big part of life.”

Hedman paid tribute to the staff at the St Erik’s eye clinic in Karolinska University Hospital.

“They explained things to me all the time, and really took care of me,” he added.  “I am extremely grateful.

“It’s important to say that – as usually you read a lot of s*** about the Swedish health care system.”

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