Rangers fans have taken to Twitter to mourn the loss of Ibrox hero Fernando Ricksen after the club confirmed the Dutchman passed away earlier today.
Ricksen had been battling Motor Neurone Disease since 2013 and his fight with the disease helped raise awareness in Scotland and beyond – with hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for charities in support of Ricksen’s fight.
The former Dutch international joined Rangers in the summer of 2000 from AZ Alkmaar and had a slow start to his Ibrox career before going on to become a big favourite of the Gers support.
In 2004, Ricksen was named PFA Scotland Player of the Year – and award he shared with Celtic’s John Hartson – and would go on to win 12 caps for his country.
During his time at Ibrox, Ricksen would lift two Scottish titles, two Scottish Cup and three League Cups and was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2014.
After leaving Rangers, Ricksen had spells at Zenit St. Petersburg – where he was an unused sub against Rangers in the 2008 UEFA Cup final – and Fortuna Sittard in his home country.
At only 43, Ricksen leaves behind a young family and his wife Veronika and his daughter Isabella will be in the thoughts of Rangers fans at home and across the world.
Here are some of the tributes from Rangers fans as they mourn the 43-year-old:
https://twitter.com/DavidSno1/status/1174274288326729730
https://twitter.com/zahid1980/status/1174273181928087552
https://twitter.com/GoodCopBabcock/status/1174272817258553345