Two Scottish football fans are putting their rivalry to one side to raise money in memory of Fernando Ricksen and Marius Zaliukas.
The pair have both died of Motor Neurone Disease and two cousins want to pay tribute to them by raising money.
Rangers legend Ricksen and Hearts hero Zaliukas were both struck down by the illness and died within a year of each other.
Zaliukas - who also had a spell at Ibrox - was just 36 when he died while Ricksen had been battling the illness for six years before passing away at the age of 43.
And teenage cousins Alan Paterson and Daniel Simpson have decided to raise money for MND charities ahead of Rangers and Hearts meeting in the Premiership in October.
Hearts fan Alan and his Rangers supporting cousin Daniel got together to come up with the idea.
They purchased kits with Ricksen and Zaliukas on the back of them and Alan is now urging the clubs and MND Scotland to get involved and help them raise money.
He told the Daily Record: “Marius Zaliukas was one of my favourite players and my cousin Daniel liked Fernando Ricksen.
“He bought me a Hearts strip with Zaliukas on the back for my birthday and bought himself a Rangers one with Ricksen on the back.
“We wanted to remember them both after they tragically died from the same disease and my mum took a photo of us both from the back.
“And we then came up with the idea that it would be nice to do something to remember them both when the sides next meet.
“They haven’t played since Zaliukas died because Hearts obviously weren’t in the top flight but it would be great to get the clubs involved and also MND Scotland.
“The idea would be to maybe get a photo of myself and Daniel looking onto the pitch with the names of the players on the back and we could sell it.
“Or even better if we could line up alongside the players before the matches at Ibrox and Tynecastle with our strips with the names on the back.
“We would be open to anything but just feel it would be good to use the fixtures involving the sides to raise awareness and funds.
“My mum has contacted MND Scotland to make them aware and hopefully the clubs will read this and get involved.
“Maybe supporters who are reading this could come up with ideas and get something organised and raise money for a good cause.”
