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Former Rangers star Fernando Ricksen has passed away at the age of 43.

The Dutchman bravely fought motor neurone disease for six years following his diagnosis in 2013 and the Ibrox club supported him throughout his battle against the degenerative condition, which also claimed the lives of Celtic great Jimmy Johnstone and legendary scientist Steven Hawking among others.

He died in the early hours of this morning in a hospice just outside Glasgow.

A statement from the Ibrox giants read: "Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle with motor neurone disease.

"The thoughts of everyone at Rangers is today with his wife Veronika, his daughter Isabella and all his family and friends."

Ricksen was a popular player at Ibrox given his full-blooded commitment and determined approach to the game.

He spent six years in Scotland, and his time with Rangers was eventful as he won two league titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.

The former Dutch international, who picked up a dozen caps for his country, also won the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award alongside John Hartson in 2005.

Dick Advocaat swooped to sign the then-24-year-old for Rangers from AZ Alkmaar for a fee of just under £4million in 2000.

But Ricksen had to wait until the following season to taste his first success with the Light Blues - winning the Scottish Cup after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Celtic.

That opened the silverware floodgates for the full-back. The following season Rangers lifted the treble and Ricksen a first title thanks to the first of two dramatic final day deciders when the Ibrox men thrashed Dunfermline 6-1 and Celtic could only win 4-0 at Kilmarnock.

Two years later the title was back at Ibrox after more last day drama - dubbed 'Helicopter Sunday' - saw Rangers win against Hibs while Celtic, only needing a victory, threw away a lead at Motherwell.

Ricksen captained Rangers that day and said lifting the trophy after full-time was among the proudest moments of his career.

The 2005/06 season was the Dutchman's best at Ibrox as he won the Player's Player of the Year award after moving into midfield from right-back and helping Rangers to the double.

But after Paul Le Guen took over at Ibrox, Ricksen's place in the squad became uncertain.

In 2006 he entered an alcohol addiction programme to fight the demons which often plagued his time at Ibrox.

(Image: Press Association)

Later that year Ricksen joined Zenit St Petersburg , again under Advocaat, but the Rangers fans' love for Ricksen was undiminished and he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2014.

That came after the motor neurone disease diagnosis which changed his life overnight, with the club holding a benefit match for him in 2015.

Ricksen was often noted for how he never shirked public appearances, despite the muscle-wasting disease leaving him with difficulty speaking and needing help to dress and feed himself.

His fighting spirit was summed up in in a documentary with Sky Sports, when he described how he reacted when he was given his diagnosis.

(Image: Daily Record)

Ricksen said: "When they said, I just couldn't believe it.

"I thought they had made a mistake, maybe they took someone else's file. But after one month of all the tests, then you know what you have.

"(But) I can't sit in the corner and say 'why me, what happened?'

"For me, it happened and I'm still happy."

Ricksen fought the disease with bravery and dignity until the end.

He is survived by wife Veronika, and daughter Isabella.