A terminally ill motor neurone disease sufferer was turned away from Ibrox on the night of Fernando’s Ricksen’s emotional tribute because of a ticketing mix-up.
Lifelong supporter Ronnie MacLeod, who has two months to live, attended Thursday’s match but was told his season ticket would not scan because a payment had not been made.
Ronnie, 63, produced his MND card – designed to help people recognise his condition – but was told he still would not be allowed in.
Distraught Ronnie, who cannot speak and is fed via a tube, had discharged himself from hospital to pay his respects to the Ibrox great – who he had met at Silverburn shopping centre in Glasgow in 2015 and who also suffered from MND.
But instead had to walk six miles home in tears to his home in Giffnock, near Glasgow.
Ronnie’s wife Jacqueline told the Record: “Ronnie was dropped off at the turnstile on Copland Road, where his seat is, by my brother-in-law Colin, whose seat is in another stand. When he tried to get in he was told the ticket hadn’t been paid for and he was sent to the ticket office.
“He got there in a state of confusion because he’s had a season ticket for 50 years and we pay everything up front.
“He showed the assistant his MND card and all they did was say he needed to pay £40 for a ticket or he wasn’t getting in.
“They showed him a screen that confirmed the payment hadn’t gone through, which must have been down to a glitch that we were unaware of.”
Jacqueline said former construction worker Ronnie only had £20 and couldn’t contact Colin, so was forced to make his own way home.
She added: “This wasn’t someone trying to con their way in. It was a lifelong supporter whose illness made it difficult to communicate and who really needed assistance.”
A Rangers spokesman said: “Our ticketing staff are highly trained and tuned to dealing with all manner of situations as compassionately as possible.
“Perhaps Mr MacLeod’s family could contact us to discuss the matter and we would certainly like to welcome him to Ibrox in the near future.”
Fernando was given a minute’s silence and a minute’s ovation at the match.
