Former Rangers star Fernando Ricksen has thanked fans for their support as they turned out in force to see club legends battle it out at his tribute match.

 

More than 41,000 supporters packed Ibrox on Sunday afternoon in honour of the former Dutch internationalist who is battling Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

The 38-year-old, who enjoyed a successful career with the club between 2000 and 2006, was unable to play in the match due to the debilitating disease, but former players Barry Ferguson, Ronald de Boer, Rino Gattuso and Marco Negri lined up for the Rangers side, managed by Alex McLeish.

The opposing team, Ricksen's All Stars, which included England player Teddy Sheringham, won 7-4.

Money raised from the match is going to Ricksen, his family, charity MND Scotland and the Rangers Charity Foundation.

Speaking just ahead of the game, the former club captain said: "Since I announced that I had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, the number of people who have contacted me and offered help has been overwhelming and I can't thank everyone enough.

"At the age of 36 you don't expect something like this to happen to you and having been a very fit and active person I always thought I would have a better chance than most of staying healthy as I got older. Unfortunately that's not the way it works.

"MND strikes indiscriminately and that's why raising awareness of the disease is so important."

The game's kick off was delayed by 15 minutes to allow fans to take their seats, but the crowd were treated to a montage of Ricksen's best moments at Rangers while they waited.

When the match came to an end, the Dutchman was then carried around the stadium by his former teammates for an emotional lap of honour.