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Fernando Ricksen has passed away


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FERNANDO Ricksen’s final journey will drive past Ibrox on the way to his funeral, it has emerged.

Close pal Stan Gordon, 57, revealed the tragic Gers idol’s hearse will pass the stadium he graced for years before he is laid to rest.

The funeral will take place this Wednesday, September 25.

It’s understood the service will be held at Wellington Church in Glasgow’s Hillhead, before a private family service.

The Rangers Legends manager revealed a host of former club stars including Nacho Novo and Arthur Numan would be attending the funeral.

Grieving friend Stan, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, told The Scottish Sun: “I was at a meeting with Rangers yesterday about the plans.

“The plan is for the hearse to go past Ibrox, which I think is very touching.

“There will be thousands of people wanting to pay their respects so it makes sense.

“I’ve been speaking to a lot of ex-players who will be at the funeral - Marco Negri, Jorg Albertz, Arthur Numan and Nacho Novo.

“Other ex-teammates are desperate to be there to pay their respects and it’s all about booking flights to make sure they are there.

“It will be an emotional day.”

Fernando’s wife Veronika, 33, is also believed to have been in the meeting with Gers bosses yesterday after flying into Scotland.

She was seen paying an emotional visit to her husband's Ibrox shrine yesterday.

Stan said ex-teammates would likely be transported in buses from the stadium on the way to the funeral.

Confirming the funeral details on the Rangers FC website, bosses said: "Rangers can today confirm that Fernando Ricksen’s funeral will be next Wednesday, 25th September.

"Rangers and the Rangers Former Players Benevolent Club will release further details in due course on behalf of the friends and family of Fernando."

It comes as Hoops gaffer Lennon and Lawwell paid their respects to Fernando after his MND death on Wednesday.

They were applauded by onlooking Rangers fans as they handed over the flowers, then bowed their heads, before departing the scene.

Their floral tribute read: “Fernando May You Rest In Peace.”

The Parkhead club also announced they would hold a minute applause for their former rival at tomorrow’s game at home to Kilmarnock.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino also paid tribute to Fernando - stating he was “the embodiment of what it means to react with kindness and solidarity in face of adversity”.

Gianni said in a statement: “Fernando Ricksen was the embodiment of what it means to react with kindness and solidarity in face of adversity.

“His commitment to the fight against MND leaves an indelible Iegacy to this world.

“He will be truly missed.”

He made the touching comments after the late footie star previously met former President Sepp Blatter in 2014 following his diagnosis with the killer illness.

Fernando died aged 43 at St Andrew’s Hospice in Airdrie on Wednesday following a brave six-year battle with motor neurone disease.

We told how the Bears legend wanted to be cremated in Scotland as he viewed it as his real home.

And Rangers bosses have agreed to cover the cost of his funeral - using cash from a Former Player Benevolent to support ex-stars.

Previously Gers manager Steven Gerrard, 39, and skipper James Tavernier, 27, laid a wreath at Ibrox in tribute to the Dutchman.

Fernando first revealed he was battling MND during a bombshell Dutch telly interview in 2013.

Sobbing, he said: “I’m fighting for my life.”

But the brave star defied medics as his ravaged body began to fail - and we told how he dreamed of being the disease’s first survivor.

Fernando, who united footie fans across Scotland with his fight, eventually lost his power to perform tasks like tying his shoelaces.

The disease forced him to speak to his family through a Stephen Hawking-style computer.

He lived in Valencia until he fell ill last year during an Ibrox bash and was deemed too ill to fly back to Spain.

Instead, he was moved to the Airdrie hospice where he was cared for until his death.

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/4742330/fernando-ricksen-funeral-rangers-ibrox/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1569054485

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