Fans hail the courage of Ibrox warrior
RANGERS fans were quick to pay tribute to the courage of Fernando Ricksen yesterday.
Mark Dingwall, editor of the FollowFollow website, said: “I was very privileged to meet him a few times after he was diagnosed. “I and other Rangers fans were astounded by the courage he showed.
“He was very focussed on leaving a legacy for his wife and his daughter Isabella, who he adored.
“And he was also very keen to help other people and other families in similar situations.”
Fernando’s friend and biographer Vincent De Vries tweeted a photo of the ex-Ranger saying only: “The fight is over... RIP 1976-2019.”
Craig Houston, founder of the fans’ group Sons of Struth, said: “It is shocking.
“Most people expected this to happen at some point. But to hear the news this morning is just really, really saddening.
“He was 43 years old and that just puts it into perspective. He was a family man and a hero on the pitch. “But even more so, his battle over the past few years and how dignified he was dealing with his illness.
“In true Fernando style, he fought it with everything and probably got a lot longer than normal people with the same condition.
“Rangers fans have so much respect for him over the past few years and that possibly even outshines even his tremendous achievements on the football pitch.
“It is a tribute to his strength and his character how he coped.
“He won a lot of honours with Rangers as a player and a captain but I think, when you look at the whole story of Fernando Ricksen, it puts him head and shoulders above many others.
“There’s not many above him in the affection he will be held in because of his courage both on and off the park.”
In Fernando style, he fought it with everything
CRAIG HOUSTON OF FANS GROUP SONS OF STRUTH