The Fernando Ricksen Documentary

I watched an airing of Fernando Ricksen- Hard Times documentary on Sky Sports 1 at 9pm (the original ran at 7pm) and it was just as hard hitting as I thought it would be.

Sky did nothing to sugar coat what MND means in real terms and I found myself sitting uncomfortably on more than one occasion, especially the scene where he struggled to swallow a glass of water. 40 minutes of the hour was dedicated to Ricksens career which was interesting enough, but neither here nor there for me as a Celtic fan. I disliked how they covered that dark Sunday in 2005 in so much detail

That said the coverage of the tribute game and the way he spoke of the difficulties he has was inspiring and incredibly sad at the same time. He as far from the perfect role model off the pitch but there is something tragic in someone with such a zest for life to be afflicted with the complete opposite.

Tribalism between Old Firm clubs can cause friction, we even see that on here from time to time but the flip side to that intense rivalry is a sense of togetherness and never forgetting one of your own. Celtic rallied around Jinky and so Rangers have closed ranks around Fernando. It was an amazing feat to get 40,000 to turn out for him and to support them financially in his darkest hour is a great gesture.

I really disliked Ricksen as a player, he used to wind me up something rotten when he played but I have enormous respect for a guy who is not sitting back accepting his lot. He's gone out, told his story and raised awareness of an illness that would understandably crush the spirit of an individual.
Indeed, the moment where he fell over but got up again during the game was a very poignant representation of just how tough reality can be with an illness like that but also the power that a positive mental attitude can offer in even the worst of circumstances.

I don't know what a Rangers fan would take from this documentary but I'm glad I got the chance to see it. It's a timely reminder of some home truths as yet another season draws to a close. The footballing community can be one of the tighest knit, most generous and uplifting forces when it's at its best.

It was a hard watch, filled with moments of harsh reality but I felt that it was done in a very tasteful manner, brutally honest but at the same time providing a note of positivity. I am aware that it is a hopeless situation but positivity more in the sense that he is refusing to be beaten by it and that is something to be admired and applauded even if it is a forlorn hope.