Celtic’s defeat to Ajax will have been disappointing to their supporters, but one of their former favourites reminded them there are worse things than watching your team lose a game of football.
John Hartson was in attendance for the match and was accompanied by former Rangers player, Fernando Ricksen.
The 39-year-old Dutchman has been battling Motor Neurones Disease since 2013 and had been invited to the Europa League tie as a guest of the club.
Ajax’s win meant that Celtic were knocked out of the competition. Presumably as a message to his former club’s supporters, Hartson called for perspective.
https://twitter.com/JohnHartson10/status/670026452159610880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Prior to kick off, Ricksen had also posed beside the statue of Jimmy Johnstone – the Celtic legend that had also suffered with MND.
Prior to KO tonight, former Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen was at the Jimmy Johnstone statue (NM) pic.twitter.com/cNlqQDNOrd
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 26, 2015
It was touching to see Ricksen warmly received by the Celtic supporters in attendance, proving that some things should always transcend a footballing rivalry.
