Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen has sent his fellow Gers pal Nacho Novo a touching message urging him to “stay strong” after he suffered a heart attack in Berlin.

Dutchman Ricksen - who is living with motor neuron disease - has told how he “couldn’t believe what happened.”

He added: “My friend, my family and I want to wish you a speedy recovery and all the love and support you need.”

“Stay strong, never give up. We love you,” he said, reports The Scottish Sun.

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On Tuesday, former striker Novo came out of intensive care and was “looking much better” after the heart attack on Saturday, staff at his Glasgow bar said.

The 38-year-old was featuring for Rangers in the AOK Traditionsmasters 2018, and was taken ill after they had been knocked out of the round-robin tournament.

It is understood he was rushed to hospital from the Max-Schmeling-Halle arena before undergoing emergency surgery.

Staff at his NN10 bar in Kinning Park said the footballer is in “amazing hands” in Germany and is doing well.

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On Saturday morning, Novo, who last played for Northern Irish side Glentoran, posted a picture on Instagram of him sharing a pre-match coffee with teammate Michael Mols, with Gordon Durie, Alex Rae, Andy Goram and Jorg Albertz also playing for Rangers.

The picture has been liked more than 6,000 times, with many people writing get well soon messages.

Glentoran, who released Novo in May, tweeted: “Speedy recovery Nacho.”

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Rangers wrote on their Twitter feed: “Everyone at #RangersFC sends their best wishes to Nacho Novo as he continues to recover in Berlin.”

Rangers hero Ricksen, 41, revealed in November his health is deteriorating rapidly and that he motor neurone disease will claim his life.

He said: “I know what the outcome will be of this terminal disease, but I’m not going to waste any time or energy worrying about future.

“I’m realistic and know that, at the moment, there is no cure for MND.

“But the outlook hasn’t changed and is still terminal and there are no new treatments at the moment.”