WE’VE LOST A WARRIOR ON AND OFF THE PITCH

Gerrard praises Ricksen’s heart-on-sleeve spirit

STEVEN GERRARD wants to invoke the warrior spirit of Fernando Ricksen tonight and build a platform for Europa League success. Rangers are in mourning following the death of their hugely popular former skipper who lost his six-year battle against Motor Neurone Disease yesterday. Ricksen passed away at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie on the eve of his old club’s group stage campaign, fittingly against Dutch side Feyenoord. The Light Blues legions will raise the rafters in honour of Ricksen at Ibrox, after a minute’s silence, as Gerrard urged his squad to tap into the emotion as fuel for three points. Rangers finished third in Group G last season and although they were undefeated at home, draws against Spartak Moscow and Villarreal ultimately proved costly as they finished four points off a place in the last 32. Gerrard is targeting home wins this time around and on what promises to be a heartwarming – and heartbreaking – occasion, he wants his players to tune into the soul of their support. He said: “Fernando was a fantastic player with a decorated career, the type to play with his heart on his sleeve. “That was epitomised when he was taken ill in 2013 and given 18 months to live. He fought ever so well, it summed up his character – a warrior on the pitch as well as off it.

“I met him recently and he was suffering and in pain but he was still putting up a fight. it’s very sad news but he deserves all the tributes. He handled himself, not just as a footballer but as a human being.

“I was well aware of the situation. Fernando had been ill for a long time and we always got regular updates. I saw with my own eyes at the training ground the situation he was in and the suffering he was going through.

“He deteriorated very much in the last six or seven days and was in a lot of pain and very stressed. He came to the training ground and you could see the pain he was going through, so it wasn’t a nice experience.

“I used to watch a lot of games when he was at Rangers and I saw the type of player he was and the sacrifices he made for the team.”

The news of Ricksen’s death was broken to the Rangers squad as they attended a team meeting to discuss tactics ahead of tonight’s Group G showdown.

Ricksen’s death also hit Dutch football hard as reporters from his homeland quizzed Gerrard before Feyenoord boss Jaap Stam, a former international team-mate, paid his own tribute.

Gerrard and Stam will come face to face in the dugout for the first time but, of course, they know each other so well from clashes between Liverpool and Manchester United and also that famous night in 2005 when Gerrard sparked that unlikely comeback against AC Milan in the Champions League Final.

He said: “I was lucky enough to play against Jaap, a top player, one of the best defenders in the world at his peak.

“Fortunately for me he switched off for one second in one game in Istanbul and I had one of the biggest moments of my career but I had nothing but respect for him as a player.

“I also admire the fact he has gone into management and is testing himself and taking on all different types of challenges. He’s at home now at Feyenoord and you can see, watching his team, his philosophy is very clear.

“This group has a Champions League feel to it because of the level of performer we’re facing and we must look at our home games if we have any ambitions go to the last 32.

“We gave a fantastic effort last year and unfortunately fell short in the last game. There were times towards the end of the group fixtures when we had to pick teams that were under strength and maybe the squad wasn’t strong enough to cope domestically and in Europe.

“This year we have more strength in depth. The challenge is tougher but it’s one we want to take on against a Feyenoord side that comes with a big reputation.

“They play an exciting brand of football and have matchwinners in their side. I don’t think they will come and sit in. They will believe they can take maximum points. It is all set up to be a fascinating game.

“It’s not impossible to get out of the group but we have to find a consistent level. In Europa League football you won’t get away with putting in an average performances or you’ll be punished.”

Rangers have never lost a Europa League qualifier during Gerrard’s time at Ibrox, nor even been behind for a single minute in a single game.

His only two defeats in 22 European fixtures came in the group stage last year at Spartak Moscow and Rapid Vienna. He may insist the group stage this season is tougher but is adamant his team should not fear Feyenoord as they’re not much better than the Poles they put to the sword in the play-off round.

Gerrard added: “I have watched a lot of Feyenoord over the last 10 days and I wouldn’t say it’s a huge step up.

“I played against a Feyenoord team in a testimonial last year and they have quality players but Legia Warsaw would give them a real tough game, that’s for sure.

“At this stage Legia Warsaw are quite capable of being involved in the Europa League group competition.”

type of player he was and the sacrifices that he made for the team type of player he was and the sacrifices that he made for the team RANGERS MANAGER STEVEN GERRARD