BRAVE Alex Gray has beaten the odds after a horrific head-on crash left him fighting for his life.

The football-mad teenager was left paralysed and most of his major organs were seriously damaged. Amazingly, the 13-year-old not only survived his injuries but has made a remarkable recovery in just weeks.

His parents Heather, 43, and Steven, 40, both nurses, told today how they have drawn strength from his courage.

And his footballing hero Nacho Novo, who visited him at the Glasgow's Southern General, said he was blown away by the teenager's spirit. Nacho added: "He's a big fighter."

Alex was on a family outing to Bellshill, Lanarkshire, on December 28 last year when the car he was travelling with his mum Heather, grandmother Ann McColl-Poole, 70, and nine-year-old sister Katie Ann was hit by a van that crossed the central reservation on the M8.

Alex, who was in the back seat, bore the brunt of the smash. His sister suffered a broken spine and Heather and Ann suffered broken collar bones. The driver of the van died at the scene.

Alex had emergency 12-hour surgery at the city's Southern General but his spine was irreversibly damaged. Doctors say it is unlikely he will walk again.

Heather, who has to take it in turns with Steven to visit their son as they both work in Edinburgh, said: "We draw our strength from Alex. He has shown such determination.

"We were on our way to visit cousins when a car smashed right into us. I remember Alex saying he couldn't feel his legs.

"He was taken to the Southern General and we were told to prepare for the worst. To look at him now you wouldn't believe what he has been through."

Rangers striker Nacho met Alex at the Southern's spinal injuries unit as part of his work for the Rangers Charity Foundation, which last week smashed through the £1million mark in fundraising.

He said: "I was really impressed by Alex. It's impressive how positive he is.

"Hopefully we can get him in to Ibrox when he's feeling a bit better to meet all the players."

Alex said: "It was cool. He's my favourite player because he scores a lot of goals."

The teenager faces a long recovery in hospital before he can return to the family home in Livingston. Katie Ann is now back home after being treated at Glasgow's Yorkhill hospital.

Heather said: "The most important thing is my children are here. We have to move forward. It is best to focus on what you can do in life rather than what you can't."

Mar 5