RANGERS supporters have raised more than £40,000 through a charity football match which was organised in the name of Fernando Ricksen who is suffering from Motor Neuron Disease.

Around 5,000 supporters watched on from the stands for the match between Rangers and England legends at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium in March.

Now the organiser of that match, Stan Gordon has confirmed that a total of £41,962 has been raised from the game.

The event was an emotional one as Fernando was brought on to the pitch before the game in a wheelchair.

The treble winner embraced the support as he met the players taking part in the game before waving to the crowd.

Rangers players including Barry Ferguson, Michael Mols, Arthur Numan and Gordon Durie represented their old club, while an England select managed by Paul Ince featured names such as Mark Walters, Darren Anderton and Lee Hendrie.

Ricksen, who spent six years in Glasgow, announced he was suffering from MND in 2013.

Stan, 55, from Blantyre, has been a Rangers fan his whole life and has had a season ticket for over 30 years.

Stan, who runs Rangers pub The Stonefield Tavern, said: “I loved Fernando as a player but I really didn’t get to know him until he became ill.

“I have helped organise a few things over the last few years in his honour.”

He added: “I think if you are a football fan and you see someone like Fernando who excels in the sport, it doesn’t matter what side of the divide you are, you will want to support him and his fight.

“People have taken great notice of that and they have great respect for him.”

Stan explained that the fans support is one of the things that has helped the player with his fight. He admitted that Fernando gets ‘excited’ at fan events and the match itself is probably something he will never forget.

He said: “He loves the fact that the fans are all there and they are supporting him, and he is still involved.

“I managed the Rangers legend team for that match and it was a great feeling going out with all the heroes, the guys I watched playing.

“And yet I am the manager of that team, it is a fantastic feeling.”

Stan thanked the Rangers fan for their support of the match and he also extended his gratitude to John Paterson who helped organise the event in England.

In addition to the funds brought in through the legends match, a further £11,000 was raised by Lionbrand as fans snapped up their Ricksen shirts.