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27th Nov 2015

Terminally ill ex-Rangers man Fernando Ricksen warmly received at Celtic Park

JOE

Celtic’s defeat to Ajax will have been disappointing to their supporters, but one of their former favourites reminded them there are worse things than watching your team lose a game of football.

John Hartson was in attendance for the match and was accompanied by former Rangers player, Fernando Ricksen.

The 39-year-old Dutchman has been battling Motor Neurones Disease since 2013 and had been invited to the Europa League tie as a guest of the club.

Ajax’s win meant that Celtic were knocked out of the competition. Presumably as a message to his former club’s supporters, Hartson called for perspective.

https://twitter.com/JohnHartson10/status/670026452159610880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Prior to kick off, Ricksen had also posed beside the statue of Jimmy Johnstone – the Celtic legend that had also suffered with MND.

It was touching to see Ricksen warmly received by the Celtic supporters in attendance, proving that some things should always transcend a footballing rivalry.