Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen has admitted his battle with motor neurone disease leaves him breaking down in tears.
The 41-year-old Dutchman, who played almost 200 times for Rangers between 2000 and 2006, was diagnosed four years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the most common form of the illness.
Describing how the muscle-wasting condition is taking its toll, Ricksen said: “I have medication, but it doesn’t always work.
READ MORE: Rangers fan’s touching tattoo tribute to hero Ricksen is online hit
“It’s usually events that mean a lot to me and the emotions of others that cause the crying.”
The Evening Times reported how Ricksen broke down as devoted fans gathered around him to give him a standing ovation at Ibrox during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match against Hamilton in November.
Pulling up at the stadium in a taxi, hundreds of loyal supporters burst into cheers and applause as the Dutchman emerged from the car.
Just before emerging, he looks outside at the swelling crowd and, taken aback, muttered: “Perfect.”
READ MORE: Ricksen accepts he’s dying after health deteriorates rapidly
Amid the moving reception outside, one fan could be heard shouting: “God bless you, Fernando.”
Overcome with emotion, Ricksen was moved to tears as a friend consoled him with a rub of the shoulder before draping a scarf around him.
He was then paraded to the fans inside the stadium where they paid tribute in the stands by unfurling a massive banner, emblazoned with the words: “No surrender.”
In his confession, he told The Scottish Sun: “It’s the same as for everyone else, but the only difference is I can’t control it. So when it starts, I can’t stop it, and all emotions come out. It’s the same with crying and laughing.”
READ MORE: Ricksen moved to tears with standing ovation outside Ibrox
Ricksen admitted at the end of last year that his health was deteriorating rapidly, leaving him unable to perform many basic functions.
The terminal disease has also affected his speech.
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