Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen’s death last month brought an outpouring of tributes from across the football world – and Gers fans were touched last night as a further tribute was paid before the Netherlands v Northern Ireland Euro 2020 qualifier.
Ricksen’s death from complications from MND came shortly before the Gers took on Feyenoord in the Europa League at Ibrox and there was another small coincidence as the Dutch national team’s first game after his death was against Northern Ireland – who include many Rangers fans in their ranks.
Both sides held a minute’s applause before the game at Feyenoord’s De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam with both sets of fans bursting into chants of ‘There’s only one Fernando Ricksen.’
The Dutchman’s battle with the incurable disease garnered a huge amount of attention and raised an incredible amount of money for various MND charities.
During his playing career, Ricksen was capped 12 times by the Oranje between 2000 and 2003 with his final cap coming in a 1–1 home draw with Portugal in April 2003.
Gers fans on Twitter were touched by the response from Dutch and Northern Irish fans with one saying it was a “class” gesture.
Here are some of the comments from fans on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/gordong1992/status/1182408608782393344
https://twitter.com/Bobby_SZN/status/1182400761784877056
https://twitter.com/McgouganAlex/status/1182411839977807872
https://twitter.com/Tommcnair12/status/1182427365965729794
https://twitter.com/dianelambie71/status/1182372102680338433
https://twitter.com/sjs_72/status/1182380258558955520