IT is business as usual for Jimmy Calderwood. He is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow.

The 62-year-old sat in front of the press and the cameras in Glasgow and looked fit and well, yet the smile and tanned complexion masked the problems within. Two years after his diagnosis, Calderwood revealed he has Alzheimer’s Disease.

The former Dunfermline, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Ross County boss has never shirked a challenge in the game but now he is facing a step into the unknown.

With partner Yvonne by his side, Calderwood spoke of the emotional conversations with family and friends as he came to terms with his diagnosis, yet also of his hope that his public appearance will help others as work continues to battle the neurodegenerative disease.

“Strangely, it hasn’t been too bad,” Calderwood said. “I’ve just got on with things. That’s life.

“I’ve had a wonderful life in football, I’ve been all over the world 10 times and it hasn’t cost me a ha’penny, which isn’t bad for a wee boy from Govan.

“It’s probably just like a football thing, that’s your life and it has been a wonderful life and if I can help other people then that would be fantastic.”

Football is all that Calderwood has known, what he has loved, since he began his career in the seventies. It has taken him across the globe, given him highs and lows.

In some of his toughest moments, he decided not to confide with those that he had shared a dressing room or a dugout with. Now, he has opened up.

“No. I don’t really know why,” Calderwood said. “I think in the beginning I was maybe a little bit scared or something.

“But I just need to get on with it. I would like to encourage people to come forward and talk about it.

“Yes, you try and hide it. The message to others is not to be afraid to come forward and talk about it. That’s exactly why we are here today. That’s the message I want to get over.”

That was the theme that was central to Calderwood’s words. He won’t shy away from the disease, won’t keep his emotions to himself and this was another step in a difficult journey.

It is one that started some time ago. His revelations would have shocked friends and colleagues both in and out of the game, but the conversations with those nearest to him were understandably difficult.

“We sat down and told them,” Calderwood said. “What can you do? It’s no use sitting about. You just get it done.

“You’ve still got a life. That’s the most important thing.

“Was it a difficult conversation to have with them? Yes. It’s a lot harder for everyone else than the individual.”

Calderwood is the latest Scottish football figure to be diagnosed with dementia and the correlation between the game and the illness will continue to be examined. It is the here and now that he is dealing with, though.

“I’m not really a person who is scared of anything,” he said. “I will just get on with life and we will see how it goes. I feel great at the moment and we will see how it goes.”

Life has changed forever for Calderwood but he has a new normality. He keeps himself fit and active and will spend the coming days on holiday in Cape Verde.

Football will never be far from his heart and the game that shaped his past will continue to play a part in his future.

“I bought season tickets for Ibrox,” Calderwood said. “I think I should take them back, by the way. I’ve done that. I can’t believe I’ve spent money on it…”

Calderwood was back on familiar territory last weekend as he saw Rangers lose to Hibernian and caught up with Ryan Jack and Fraser Fyvie, both of whom worked under him during his time as Dons boss.

The wider world now knows what he is dealing with. There will undoubtedly be well wishes and an outpouring of emotion, but he hopes attitudes won’t change.

He said: “I hope people when they see me don’t say: ‘there’s Calderwood, I don’t want to talk to him.’ I would hope people would treat me the same as they always have. But I think it will be alright.”

*Anyone who is concerned about dementia, or would like to find out about help or support in their local area, should call Alzheimer Scotland’s Freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000