Hundreds of Rangers fans have been gathering throughout the day at Ibrox as the club’s supporters look to play their respects to Fernando Ricksen.
Alongside a host of television cameras – and even tomorrow’s Europa League opponents Feyenoord who laid a strip and flowers for Ricksen – Rangers supporters have been pinning shirts, scarves and mementos to the club’s famous gates.
There has been such an overwhelming response to the 43-year-old’s tragic death throughout football, but there’s little doubt Ibrox was Fernando’s spiritual home.
There has been an outpouring of support for the right-back-turned-midfielder on social media from the Ibrox legions.
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The entire footballing community and ex-teammates have also expressed their sorrow.
And it’s little wonder – Ricksen’s hard-tackling, never say die, all-action attitude somewhat embodies what it means to be a Ranger.
As Kris Boyd explained to Sky Sports outside the famous stadium earlier today – “Rangers fans don’t do that for everyone”.
It’s fair to say that the relationship of the club’s supporters with Fernando was only really matched by Fernando’s relationship with them.
For six long years, the passionate Dutchman battled the horrific Motor Neurone Disease. For that entire time Rangers – the club itself and its adoring fans – were right beside him.
Today, the club’s supporters gathered in their numbers to pay respect to one of the most passionate men to ever wear the club’s royal blue.
Rangers themselves flew flags at half-mast to honour the former Dutch international’s memory.
For the club’s fans, it’s the least they could do for a player who’d still make Ibrox his home long after he last stepped out on the pitch to represent them.