ONE event left the audience inspired, the other left the crowd dejected. One was far more important, though.

Thousands of fans exited Hampden in anger and despair on Saturday night, but just a few miles across Glasgow a couple of hundred headed for home with very different emotions.

While the Tartan Army sat through a turgid 90 minutes watching an abject Scotland performance against Lithuania, Rangers supporters spent a couple of hours in the presence of Fernando Ricksen and some former Light Blue heroes.

Read more: Alex McLeish: Rangers are in a three-way battle for second spot in the PremiershipGlasgow Times: Fernando Ricksen

The fight against Motor Neurone Disease now dominates the Dutchman’s life but he won a small battle before he even took his place at the top table at a fundraiser in his honour.

Ricksen was told last week that he would not be allowed to travel as airline KLM cited safety concerns and claimed he would be unable to undo his seatbelt in an emergency situation. A few hours and a welcome change of heart later, he was on his way to Glasgow.

Tens of thousands turned out at Ibrox last year as Ricksen’s former team-mates took part in a charity match that raised over £300,000. That day, he was able to make his way out to the centre circle and take kick-off.

Read more: Alex McLeish: Rangers are in a three-way battle for second spot in the Premiership

On Saturday, he had to make his entrance by wheelchair. For those that had once watched the midfielder in action, it was a surreal, sad moment, but it was also an uplifting one as fans rose to their feet to cheer him into the room.

The effects of MND have a crippling hold on Ricksen’s body. In his prime, he was an integral part of several successful Rangers sides, an all-action, combative presence that could lead by example or let his fiery nature and personality get the better of him.

Life has not begun at 40 for Ricksen. It continues to get more difficult with each day that passes.

He heard the well wishes from team-mates of years gone by on the big screen and the anecdotes from friends on the stage. He posed for photographs and was once again the star attraction.

Seeing Ricksen in his sorry state would have had a profound impact on many, but the positive will one day hopefully emerge from his tragic story.

His goal is not to survive with MND, it is to beat it. Ricksen continues to galvanise those that know him and those that know of him, the foundation set up in his name raising vital funds to help people who find themselves struck down by the debilitating disease.

Saturday was an evening that acted as a reminder of the good that football and people in the game can do. It can be a driving force for change, a vehicle to offer hope. It may not save lives, but it can improve them.

A couple of weeks ago, Michael Mols returned to Ibrox to promote the partnership between Rangers and UNICEF and spoke passionately about the work the charity do.

Across the city, the generosity of Celtic supporters has kept foodbanks stocked in recent years and the club’s Charity Foundation will launch their Christmas Appeal in the coming weeks.

Read more: Alex McLeish: Rangers are in a three-way battle for second spot in the Premiership

Over the course of the festive season, managers, players and mascots from teams in every division will visit hospitals and hand over presents and pose for photos. They are small gestures, but ones that mean a lot and help to ensure that clubs remain at the heart of their communities and connect with their supporters.

Our game is far from perfect and there are some that continue to tarnish it. Thankfully, there are many more who work for a greater good.

For all of football’s ills, there can be moments that restore your faith in the sport. Saturday night provided one and there will be more to come.

The off field ones will be the most important. It is only a game, after all.