VIDEO: Fans leave scarves and flowers at Ibrox as tributes pour in for Rangers hero Fernando Ricksen

Tributes were pouring in for Fernando Ricksen on Wednesday following the death of the former Rangers full-back at the age of 43.

The ex-Holland international, who made more than 250 appearances for the Ibrox club between 2000 and 2006 following his arrival from AZ Alkmaar, had been fighting motor neurone disease for six years.

Fans have left scarves, flowers and messages of condolence at Ibrox this afternoon as figures from the world of football and beyond paid tribute to Ricksen.

Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle with motor neurone disease.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 18, 2019

“Rangers is deeply saddened to announce that former player Fernando Ricksen passed away this morning following his battle with motor neurone disease,” a club statement on Wednesday read.

“Fernando spent six trophy-laden seasons at Ibrox having initially joined a number of other Dutch players under manager Dick Advocaat in the summer of 2000.

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

In his press conference before tomorrow night’s Europa League match, Steven Gerrard urged his Rangers side to deliver a victory in Ricksen’s honour.

He said: “It’s very sad news for everyone connected to the club and, more importantly, his young family. On behalf of the club I would like to pay tribute. He was a fantastic player who had a decorated career.

“I’m sure there will be a lot of emotions in the stadium tomorrow and I think Fernando deserves that. I’m sure both sets of supporters will pay their respects.

“We ask the supporters to get right behind the team because I think it would be a nice tribute to him if we can put in a good performance and try to get maximum points.

“I think everyone knows before a ball is kicked, if that was the case, we’d certainly dedicate it to him and his family.

“It’s very sad. I’m sure the supporters are very sad at this time and we who are responsible for tomorrow night’s performance want to do everything we can to try and get a win and dedicate it to him.”

One of Ricksen’s most memorable moments in a Rangers jersey was lifting the league title on the famous ‘Helicopter Sunday’.

Paying tribute, Alex McLeish revealed the huge surge of pride he felt after his gamble on naming Ricksen Rangers captain hit the jackpot that day.

Stefan Klos had started the 2004-05 campaign wearing the armband but it was soon handed over to the fiery Dutchman when the German goalkeeper suffered a season-ending injury midway through the campaign.

Former skipper Barry Ferguson returned soon after but boss McLeish stuck by his original call and it proved to be the right decision as Ricksen led Rangers to a domestic double.

McLeish’s team fought against the odds to pip Celtic to the title in dramatic circumstances on the final day of the season at Easter Road, and the former Scotland boss says the sight of Ricksen lifting the Scottish Premier League trophy that day is his most cherished memory.

Speaking to the PA news agency, McLeish said: “When Stefan Klos got injured that season I gave Fernando the captaincy. It was a bit of a tactic to try and help him control his emotions and look after the whole team rather than reacting by himself.

“He was brilliant in the role. He actually ended up playing the role of peacemaker a lot of the time.

“It was a big change for Fernando but, even when Barry Ferguson came back to the club, I kept Fernando as skipper.

“I spoke to Barry about it and he could see no reason to change it again.

“We went on to win two trophies that year, culminating in that famous last day of the season at Easter Road.

“That day was one of Fernando’s proudest moments and I know I was so proud to see him lifting that trophy.”

Ricksen was labelled a “true warrior” by former team-mate Peter Lovenkrands.

In an Instagram post, the Dane wrote: “You looked after me when we signed at Rangers together, taking me back and forward to training because I didn’t have a car, great memories on and off the pitch!

“A true warrior and leader on the pitch! You’ll be truly missed. RIP my friend.”

Ricksen raised awareness and funds to help other sufferers of motor neurone disease through the Fernando Ricksen Foundation.

A benefit match for the Dutchman, held at Ibrox in January 2015, saw over 41,000 fans attend Ibrox and raised £320,000 with the proceeds split between Fernando, his daughter Isabella, MND Scotland and the Rangers Charity Foundation.

Another former team-mate, Nacho Novo, also took to social media to express his sorrow, posting: “Sad news my friend my best friend a role model always a fighter love u to bits mate rip I will see u soon brother.”

Figures from across the world of football sent their condolences, including former Celtic striker John Hartson, who tweeted: “Sorry to hear Fernando Ricksen has passed away.. fought till the end.. my thoughts are with his immediate family and friends.. RIP Fernando.”

Sorry to hear Fernando Ricksen has passed away.. fought till the end.. my thoughts are with his immediate family and friends.. RIP Fernando ??

— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) September 18, 2019

World governing body FIFA posted on Twitter: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Fernando Ricksen, who has passed away aged 43 following a battle with motor neurone disease.”

Zenit St Petersburg – the team Ricksen left Rangers to join, initially on loan, in 2006 – released a statement.

It read: “We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former player Fernando Ricksen. He battled bravely against motor neurone disease right until the end and we are all thinking of him and his family at this difficult time.”