Rangers stars in Fernando Ricksen tribute as Steven Gerrard's team lay wreath

The first team squad and coaching staff gathered outside Ibrox ahead of their Europa League clash with Feyenoord later this evening.

They laid a wreath and observed a minute's silence for Ricksen, who passed away yesterday aged 43 after a length battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The Rangers squad and staff paid tribute

READ MORE: Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen died one day before heartbroken wife was due to visit him

A note on the flowers read: "Your fighting spirit knew no bounds.

"We will always remember.

"From all your friends at Rangers Football Club."

Yesterday during a press conference, boss Gerrard said he hopes the side can win “and dedicate it to Fernando.”

The squad laid a wreath to Fernando Ricksen

READ MORE:Fernando Ricksen's friend 'heartbroken' for his girl as funeral fundraiser hits £4k

He said: “It’s very sad news for everyone, more importantly for his young family.

“On behalf of the club, I would like to pay tribute to Fernando. He was a fantastic player who played with his heart on his sleeve.

“I was lucky enough to meet him a couple of times, you could see the fight he was putting up.

“The tributes will pour in not just for the footballer but for the man."

He added: “I'm sure there will be a lot of emotion in the stadium and Fernando deserves that.

“We need the support to get right behind the team to try and get that win for Fernando.

“I'm sure the supporters are very sad at this time and we want to do everything we can to get a win and dedicate it to Fernando.”

The Rangers legend passed away yesterday

READ MORE: Rangers and Celtic fans visit Ibrox to pay tribute to Fernando Ricksen

Following his diagnosis in 2013, Ricksen spent his years battling MND campaigning and raising money to find a cure for the debilitating condition.

His charity has raised more than £1 million in an attempt to help scientists with research.

Ricksen, who was married and had a daughter, lived out his remaining days at St Andrew’s Hospice, Airdrie, after being admitted into care there last year.

In a final interview to ITV in June, he urged those in sport to do more to help pressure drugs companies to find a cure.

He said: “The sports world could put more pressure on the pharmaceutical companies. This disease is not lucrative enough so it has no priority. If tomorrow an MND epidemic came we would have a cure within a week. It’s disgusting but a reality.”

Rangers play Feyenoord at Ibrox stadium at 8pm this evening.