RANGERS legend Fernando Ricksen has been given a Stephen Hawking-style computer through which he is able to speak.

Close pal and biographer, Vincent de Vries, has shared a touching video on nhis social media page of the stricken hero sharing a message with his legions of fans.

Through the device, the 42-year-old says: “Hello. For the people who don’t know me, I’m Fernando Ricksen and I suffer from Motor Neuron Disease, also known as ALS.

READ MORE: Sick Twitter troll slammed for mocking Fernando Ricksen after Old Firm

“Because of this muscle disease, I am unable to speak. Since one month, I have a new device that speaks for me.”

Cracking a joke, he adds: “At the moment, I only have a female voice, so bear with me.”

“I want to thank everyone for the love and support on my. So, thank you for the energy,” he finishes off.

One fan replied to the Twitter post: “Stay strong fernando I don’t care if it’s a ladies voice glad to hear from you.”

In an earlier post, de Vries shared a picture of Ricksen using the device.

The footballer’s friend captioned it: “Fernando Ricksen so happy with his special eye-computer. ‘Finally I can talk and explain myself again’.”

The impressive piece of kit has reportedly been donated to Ricksen.

Ricksen, who played almost 200 times for Rangers between 2000 and 2006, was diagnosed four years ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is the most common form of the muscle-wasting condition Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

READ MORE: Fernando Ricksen accepts he’s dying as health deteriorates

He played from 1993 to 2011 for, among others, Fortuna Sittard, Rangers and Zenit St. Petersburg. He is currently being looked after at his Spanish home by wife Viktoria Veselova.

Ricksen revealed last November that his health was deteriorating rapidly and that the condition will claim his life.

He said at the time: “I know what the outcome will be of this terminal disease, but I’m not going to waste any time or energy worrying about the future.

“I’m realistic and know that, at the moment, there is no cure for MND.

“But the outlook hasn’t changed and is still terminal and there are no new treatments at the moment.”