Rangers fans have started to descend up various parts of Spain and Portugal over the weekend with the final figure likely to be not far away from six figures such has been the response to what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The news that the local Seville administration has co-ordinated a series of fan zones for both sets of supporters has been warmly received, however, you wonder why they left it so late to organise them?
This should keep the troops entertained before and after the match as two well supported teams look to savour a momentous night in their respective club’s history, the emphasis very much being towards having a party above anything else.
Unfortunately though, where the is large crowds and alcohol, there is likely to be trouble and, as a responsible football club, Rangers have sent out a message – or word of warning – from Gers legend Graeme Souness.
🇬🇧 Remember who you represent.
🎉 Stay safe and enjoy the party.#UEL pic.twitter.com/c6RtO0A5az
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 15, 2022
“Hi guys, this is a message for everyone going to Seville. Go there, have a super time, support our team, our team has done incredibly well in getting there. When you think of the journey we’ve been on for the last ten years to be now playing in a serious European cup final, it’s a fantastic achievement.
“The players have done their bit, now it’s your turn. You have to turn up there and behave yourselves. Have a party but, make sure you behave yourselves because you’re going there as an ambassador four our football club, our great football club, the great Glasgow Rangers, you must go there and behave otherwise we’ll have all the trashy headlines which would damage us for a long. long time.
“Please go there and behave yourselves and have a super time.”
I think it’s fair to say that the vast, vast majority of football fans from most clubs, never mind Rangers, never follow their club looking for trouble, as I said previously though, if you have 100,000 people from a cross section of society, there will be more than a few idiots. This doesn’t mean it is Rangers fault or a reflection of the support but the club has done the right thing in sending out the message – after our title celebrations in May, cries of “Rangers should have done more” were heard from all and sundry, the club are merely ticking a box this time around.
That the club has followed up this release from our legendary skipper Richard Gough shows that they are making a point to those that constantly seek to criticise.
As we saw with the state of Glasgow city centre on Saturday, even teams celebrating can end up fighting with each other but Souness is right, the “trashy headlines” will already be written I can guarantee that, just don’t give them the chance which, on top of winning the Europa League, would really ruin their year.