Rangers Hero Fernando Ricksen Passes Away After Battle With Motor Neurone Disease

Rangers have confirmed former captain Fernando Ricksen passed away on Wednesday morning after a lengthy battle with motor neurone disease.

The former Dutch international spent six years with Rangers between 2000 and 2006, establishing himself as a vital part of the side in what was one of the most successful periods in club history.

However, after six years of battling against his illness, Rangers announced on their official website that Ricksen had passed away at the age of 43.

The club were eager to remember the good times with Ricksen, who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of motor neurone disease following his diagnosis in October 2013. He set up the Fernando Ricksen Foundation to help support other people with the condition, and a benefit match at Ibrox in 2015 raised over £320,000 for the cause.

Part of the Rangers hall of fame, Ricksen helped guide the side to Scottish Premier League title in both the 2002/03 and 2004/05 campaigns, whilst he also lifted two Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups during his time with the club.

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After initially struggling to adapt to life in Scotland, Ricksen became a permanent fixture of the side under Alex McLeish, and he was comfortably one of Rangers' most influential players in his six years at Ibrox.

He was named club captain in January 2005, and that new responsibility appeared to inspire Ricksen, who raised his game even further. The versatile defender was often deployed in a more advanced role, and his nine goals saw the Gers win yet another domestic double.

He was named the joint-SPFA Player of the Year that year, but saw his role in the team come under threat following the arrival of new manager Paul Le Guen.

Ricksen was ultimately sent on loan to Zenit St Petersburg in August 2006 and sealed a permanent move to Russia just months later. He spent three years with Zenit, before ending his career with his first team Fortuna Sittard.