FERNANDO RICKSEN passed away this morning after losing his battle with the dreadful motor neurone disease. Rangers tweeted about the sad news stating: “Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle with motor neurone disease.”
Fernando was just 43 and has been fighting MND for several years. Born in Heerlen in the Netherlands, Fernando was best known for his six-year spell at Ibrox where he won seven trophies. He was signed by Dick Advocaat in 2000 from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar for a fee of £3.75million and his first game against Celtic came in their 6-2 defeat at Celtic Park.
Ricksen also played for Fortuna Sittard and Zenit St Petersburg where he won the Russian Premier League title. Fernando was also capped 12 tiles by the Netherlands.
Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle with motor neurone disease.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 18, 2019
Celtic Supporters have also been passing on their messages of sympathy to Fernando’s family and friends at this saddest of times and Celtic have also posted a message on Condolences to family and friends of Fernando Ricksen on the club’s official website.
Condolences to family and friends of Fernando Ricksen. https://t.co/ij5sGOeOV1
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 18, 2019
“Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Fernando Ricksen, a brave brave man who fought such a horrible disease that took our own ‘greatest ever Celt’, with courage and dignity RIP Fernando, a true warrior,” Éire Go Brách CSC wrote.
Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Fernando Ricksen, a brave brave man who fought such a horrible disease that took our own ‘greatest ever Celt’, with courage and dignity
RIP Fernando, a true warrior pic.twitter.com/Uvusw56yec— Éire Go Brách CSC (@EireGoBrachCSC) September 18, 2019
Gob bless and Rest in Peace Fernando???? Thoughts and prayers with his family.???? pic.twitter.com/rGKntzQODh
— Michael McCahill (@MickMcCahill) September 18, 2019
Fernando created a charity to raise funds to look for a cure for MND to help others who will suffer from this dreadful condition.
“I have always said: one day there will be a man who defeats MND. Let me be that man. Let me the first human being who gets the beast on its knees. I know, it’s everything but a fair battle. This disease, this demon, is lethal. So I can’t do it entirely on my own. I need support – your support! So please stand behind me. Only together we can kick MND in the balls.”
He spent the final few months of his life at the St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie before losing his battle with MND.
Rest in Peace Fernando, you, your family and friends will be in all of our thoughts and prayers.
So sorry to hear this, he fought with the heart of a true warrior , may he RIP. God bless his wife and kids , prayers and condolences to all his friends family team mates and fans ???? https://t.co/VhRtOQkYLJ
— ???????????????????????????????????? Anthony aka Mr Indy1888???????????????? (@independent1888) September 18, 2019
RIP ???? Thoughts to everyone @StAndrewHospice especially Sister Catherine who have given him so much love and care in such a tragic time ???? https://t.co/OIxEYkAG60
— Kerry Keenan (@422Kerry) September 18, 2019
I'm really saddened to hear of the sad passing of #Fernandoricksen today at age of 43 from #motorneuronedisease. I have always put my rivalry aside for a player who have always respected. My thoughts are with @RangersFC & his family at this very sad time #RIPFERNANDO
— @CelticBhoy1888 (@Celt_Bhoy1888) September 18, 2019
Saddened by the passing of Fernando Ricksen, a man of real courage. To us he was a footballer, a hero or opponent but to others he was a dad, a son, a partner, a brother and a grandson. Sometimes it's not the years in your life but the life in your years. Rest easy pal. HH pic.twitter.com/AAhf9cipsb
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog09) September 18, 2019
So sad to hear the passing of Fernando Ricksen. Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP pic.twitter.com/E5MRbhzZk3
— Murdo Macleod (@murdomacleod06) September 18, 2019
Such sad and upsetting news to hear of the passing of Fernando Ricksen. Thoughts go out to his family.
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 18, 2019
