Rangers the inspiration on mainland Europe as football royalty host special night
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Fortuna Sittard have paid an extraordinary tribute to Fernando Ricksen on the fifth anniversary of the Rangers legend's passing.
The Eredivisie side have released a new Rangers-inspired kit in honour of Fernando, with the promotion behind the release taking place in the Ibrox dressing room and Oswald's Bar.
Rangers are central to the Fernando Ricksen story, with the former Netherlands international eventually losing a six-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019.
It was a story which captured the hearts of the footballing community as Ricksen campaigned on behalf of sufferers of the degenerative brain condition.
In honour of Ricksen, who started and ended his career at Fortuna Sittard, the Dutch club wore the jersey in an Eredivisie clash with Ajax, five years on from Fernando's passing.
Fortuna Sittard pay tribute to Fernando Ricksen
Whilst Fortuna Sittard had bigger things on their mind than the clash at the Amsterdam Arena against Ajax, the match ended in disappointment.
Ajax are now led by youthful Italian coach Francesco Farioli, who was a close candidate to take over at Rangers before Michael Beale landed the gig in late 2022.
With Ajax finishing an unacceptable 5th in the Eredivisie last season, 35-year-old Farioli is tasked with returning the club to former glories in the face of PSV's dominance.
In a resounding victory, Ajax trumped Fortuna Sittard 5-0 in Amsterdam in a result which was not helped by the visitors receiving a red card in first half injury time whilst 2-0 down.
Interestingly, Rangers-linked Davy Klaassen also made his debut after signing for Ajax this week.
Fortuna Sittard used the match to promote the special Fernando Ricksen jersey, which is launched with the motto 'never give up', a phrase synonymous with the ex-Rangers star's battle against MND.
Rangers-inspired jersey making a difference
Naturally, many Rangers fans have flocked to pick up the Fernando Ricksen Fortuna Sittard jersey.
Not only is the special blue top a tribute to the Dutchman himself, but also to Ricksen's relationship with Rangers, the Ibrox side always close to the former Ibrox captain's heart.
Such was the initial response, the Fortuna Sittard website eventually showed the kit as having sold out before the club updated the stock later in the day.
Fortuna Sittard have pledged that 10% of sales from Fernando Ricksen jersey will go to MND research as the Dutchman's legacy once again contributes to fighting the condition.
Fernando Ricksen spent six years at Rangers between 2000 and 2006, winning seven major honours at Ibrox.
