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Rangers legend Ally McCoist has heaped praise on Neil Lennon for his tributes to Fernando Ricksen.

The Celtic boss was at the forefront as the club honoured the Ibrox icon following his tragic death earlier this month.

Ricksen passed away aged just 43 on September 18 having fought a six-year battle against Motor Neurone Disease.

Lennon and chief-executive Peter Lawwell laid a wreath at wreath at Ibrox last week, before paying heartfelt tributes in the media and representing Celtic at the Dutchman's funeral.

Ricksen's death brought fans of both clubs together in mourning and McCoist has saluted his former rival for his role in the aftermath.

He told talkSPORT :"I have to say, Neil and Celtic Football Club in the aftermath of Fernando's death were fantastic.

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"I saw him at the funeral on Wednesday. The whole of Scottish football, but Neil and Celtic in particular brilliantly handled that."

Lennon spoke candidly earlier this week at his sadness at losing Ricksen, against whom he played in some of the fiercest Old Firm derbies in living memory.

Ricksen leaves behind wife Veronika and daughter Isabella, who joined mourners to say a final goodbye at an emotional service in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Reacting to the devastating news last week, Lennon sent his condolences to Ricksen's family and to Rangers.

"It's tragic," he said. "I am very, very upset for his family obviously, for someone who I played against in many battles in a time when both teams were very, very strong in Glasgow, in a very good era in Scottish football.

(Image: Daily Record)

"And for the Glasgow public to lose him at such a young age is devastating. He put up an unbelievable fight.

"As a player he got better and better in his time at Rangers, to the point he became player of the year.

"He turned out to be an outstanding footballer, a great competitor.

"He was emotional to start with in his career but he really matured into a very fine player.

"Our condolences go to his family and Glasgow Rangers as well. It's a huge loss and I have felt it myself, for someone who I played against for a long, long time."