Fans and players say goodbye to Fernando Ricksen
Last updated 25th Sep 2019
Ex-teammates of Fernando Ricksen have joined his family and thousands of fans for a final farewell to the former Rangers star, who died after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
Supporters of the Glasgow club gathered outside Ibrox Stadium as the funeral cortege of the former Light Blues captain halted briefly outside.
The Rangers first team stood at the front door of Ibrox to join supporters in paying tribute to the Dutchman.
Ricksen's wife Veronika and their family, wearing black football tops with his surname and the number two on the back, left the cars and went into the stadium for a few minutes.
Shortly before the cortege's arrival at the ground, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and the first team were dropped off by a coach.
Fans applauded the squad's arrival and continued as two other coaches drove past - with one carrying nurses who had cared for Ricksen, as well as club legends Mark Hateley and Richard Gough.
Mourners also gathered at Wellington Church in Glasgow, where the funeral service is being held.
A number of Ricksen's former Rangers teammates, including Tore Andre Flo, Nacho Novo, Neil McCann and Peter Lovenkrands, arrived together.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who came up against Ricksen in his playing days, was also in attendance.
Jim Boyd, who had come to Ibrox from Livingston, West Lothian, where Rangers play on Wednesday night, said: "He was solid, he was just brilliant.
"It's sad but proud as well, it just shows you how much people liked the guy as a footballer and a person.
"I'd met him a couple of times at the training and he always took time out to take pictures and sign stuff.
"He could have a laugh with you and stop and talk to you, he was really good.''
Another fan, Stefan Souttar, had only watched highlights of Ricksen but said: "You see all the different clubs here (among the tributes). I've seen a Villarreal scarf and all the Celtic tops.
"It just shows he was a well-liked guy. Even though there's the Rangers and Celtic rivalry, they still come together for respect."
The former Holland international died aged 43 a week ago, six years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Ricksen played more than 250 times for the Light Blues after joining from AZ Alkmaar in 2000, winning two league titles during his time in Glasgow.
He remained a firm favourite among the Rangers fans and spent his final months at St Andrew's Hospice in Airdrie.
A statement from Rangers read: "The funeral cortege will make its way to Ibrox Stadium, for 1pm where it will stop briefly outside the stadium front door to allow fans to pay their respects from the opposite side of the road.
"The procession will come down Broomloan Road and proceed along Edmiston Drive driving east before heading to the Clyde Arc bridge, and on to the church.
"The cortege will then proceed to Wellington Church for the funeral at 2pm, before a private, family service at Linn Crematorium is held.
"The family would like to thank everyone who has paid their respects to Fernando over the last week, it has been a source of comfort at a very difficult time."
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