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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jack Aitchison

Rangers hero Fernando Ricksen enjoys emotional birthday celebrations in hospice

Fernando Ricksen has celebrated his 43rd birthday surrounded by family and friends while in hospice care.

The Rangers hero, who is in the final stages of Motor Neurone Disease, is being cared for at St Andrew's Hospice in Airdrie.

The birthday boy was in high spirits as dozens of banners and balloons were set up across the room to celebrate the big day.

Loving wife Veronika shared a video montage of the day on her Instagram , adding they had the "best time ever".

Fernando was also left smiling at his football-themed birthday cake, which was topped with figures of himself, Veronika and daughter Isabella as well as the iced words "Happy Birthday Fernando. We love you".

Fernando Ricksen with his football-themed birthday cake (Instagram)

The video, which is put to the Lewis Capaldi's tune "Someone You Loved" has been viewed more than 1500 times in less than an hour.

Veronika captioned it: "Thanks every one who coming today, to spend this nice day with us.

"Fernando really happy and we had best time ever. He really enjoy this day. Happy Birthday our love. #Ricksen #NeverGiveUp".

Veronika previously revealed she was worried the family would miss his birthday because trips from Spain to Scotland were becoming difficult to pay for.

We how adorable Isabella made a surprise visit to the Rangers legend's bedside on the eve of the big day.

In the clip, she could be seen running into the room and over to her dad's bed, putting her head on top of him.

Fernando can be seen looking delighted at the camera as the family enjoy a reunion.

Fernando has previously promised to "continue fighting out of the limelight" after his final public appearance on June 28.

Hundreds gathered for "An Evening with Fernando Ricksen" - which he previously described as his "final night" at the GoGlasgow Urban Hotel.

He later clarified that he did not intend to make the fundraiser his "final day", adding: "I will continue fighting, the rest of the battling is just going to happen out of the limelights."

Fernando has been battling Motor Neurone Disease since 2013.

Since his diagnosis the Ibrox icon has dedicated himself to raising money for MND charities.

Last October, Fernando was rushed to hospital after he became unwell while visiting Scotland at an Ibrox fans' event.

Since then, Fernando has been cared for at the Airdrie hospice where he will spend the rest of his life as he is too ill to travel back to Spain.

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