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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady

Rangers fans belt out Ibrox anthems in Seville street party ahead of Europa League clash

Rangers fans have partied hard ahead of Wednesday night's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, where fans hope to see the "Sons of Seville" crowned Europa League champions.

Hundreds of Bears gathered in Plaza Alameda de Hercules - one of the Andalusian city's top nightlife spots - on Tuesday night and partied into the early hours.

Fans dominated the plaza as they belted out tunes like Four Lads Had a Dream and the John Lundstram-flavoured take on Belinda Carlisle's hit Heaven Is a Place on Earth.

Police closed roads around the plaza to minimise clashes between fans and locals traffic, and maintained a visible but hands-off presence.

Rangers fans have been noisy but well-behaved so far in Seville (Daily Record)

Despite the softly softly approach cops were geared up for any signs of trouble - with some wearing riot helmets on their belt to slip on at a moment's notice.

But the evening of pre-match celebrations went off largely without a hitch, with Teddy Bears boisterous but well-behaved.

A Spanish woman running a kiosk on the edge of the Plaza told the Record: "I think they [the Rangers fans] are funny - they are noisy but they are very nice."

The Plaza Alameda de Hercules will be the meeting point for Rangers fans who have tickets to tonight's potentially history-making tie against Frankfurt.

They will be escorted along a near two-mile walk to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in plenty of time for kick-off at 8pm.

Meanwhile, a dedicated Rangers fan zone has been set up a short distance from the La Cartuja Olympic Stadium in Seville's north-west, where fans can also watch the game on beamback for €10.

Police maintained a hands-off presence despite the noise from fans (Jon Brady/Daily Record)

Frankfurt fans who want to gather together for the game will do so in Jardines del Prado de San Sebastián two and a half miles away.

Local Spanish businesses have also capitalised on the presence of an estimated 100,000 Rangers fans with unofficial fan zones.

One sold-out event, the "Glasgow Party In Seville" at the Rocío Jurado Auditorium, promises punters a big screen and four beers for €50.

Teddy Bears are quietly optimistic about their chances against The Eagles - whose German fans by and large have been mixing amicably with their European final rivals.

Gers superfan Dave Anson, 58, who has travelled from Perth, Australia to be at the match, told the Record: "You can't put a price on being here.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and to bring the trophy home would be great after 50 years.

"I'm telling you - they'll be known as the Sons of Seville."

Keep up with the Daily Record's on-the-ground Seville coverage: follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our daily newsletters here.

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