Steven Gerrard And Rangers Squad Pose For Photo With Fernando Ricksen On Visit to Training Ground
Posted Saturday, February 09, 2019 by thesportbible.com
The full Rangers squad posed for a photo with Fernando Ricksen as he visited their Auchenhowie training base this morning.
Steven Gerrard's men were back in training earlier following their 4-2 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.
They play Kilmarnock on Sunday in the Scottish Cup and will be fully focused on getting the win to continue their pursuit of glory in the cup.
But it was also great to see the players take time from their preparations to see Ricksen and pose for a picture.
Ricksen's friend Vincent de Vries was on hand to take the picture and posted it to Twitter shortly after:
What a welcome! #RangersFamily @RangersFC pic.twitter.com/4SPYvcJWmD
— Vincent de Vries (@therealvdv) February 8, 2019
Ricksen continues to battle with ALS - a motor neurone disease that he continues to battle after being diagnosed in 2013.
His health has continued to deteriorate, with his muscles becoming weak and forcing him to wind up in a wheelchair.
The Dutchman has also been left unable to speak but in September thanked fans for the support by using a special device that enables him to communicate.
Fernando Ricksen: "Thank everyone for the energy." pic.twitter.com/GkXEHYO1Ps
— Vincent de Vries (@therealvdv) September 10, 2018
Fernando Ricksen so happy with his special eye-computer. "Finally I can talk and explain myself again." pic.twitter.com/FQ93tgP1q9
— Vincent de Vries (@therealvdv) September 9, 2018
He was given a Stephen Hawking-style computer that allows him to speak. Firm rdgKompagne got in touch with his biographer Vincent de Vries and donated the voice generator.
And in a video posted on his Twitter account, Ricksen gave an emotional message to all those who have supported him in such a difficult period.
"Hello, for the people who don't know me I am Fernando Ricksen and I suffer from Motor Neurone Disease also known as ALS." he says with help from the device. Because of this muscle disease I'm unable to speak. I have a new device that speaks for me.
"At the moment I only have a female voice so bear with me. First I want to thank everyone for the love and support on my birthday. Thank you for the energy."
Five-time Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo also did his bit for the former Zenit man, inviting him to watch him in Champions League action at the Bernabeu in 2016 and giving him his grass-stained shirt from the game.
#Cristiano offre son maillot à Ricksen, ex-footballeur atteint de la maladie de Charcot (faiblesse musculaire, insuffisance respiratoire..). pic.twitter.com/USCmJzT2EW
— Real Maroc (@ReaIMaroc) October 18, 2016
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