It’s the calm before the storm - sunny Seville stands ready for the arrival of 100,000 Rangers fans who have sworn they’ll be on their best behaviour.
The first Gers have started to arrive in the Andalusian capital ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The streets of Seville are yet to shake to the sound of Gers fans in their thousands.
But those who have arrived are soaking up the atmosphere and stand ready to rally the team on to victory and their first European glory in 50 years.
Among those roaming Seville’s sun-dappled streets on Monday was Tam Bell, 56.
NHS worker Tam, from Cumnock, Ayrshire, made a snap decision to extend his Spanish holiday and jumped on a train - travelling five and a half hours by train from Benidorm, where he’s just spent a week lapping up the rays.
Along with son-in-law Ross, 42, and grandson Kai, 14, Tam has got his hands on tickets for a fanzone event on Wednesday to watch the Gers take on the German giants.
In the meantime, he’s making the most of his time in the sun - and plans to see the sights of Seville.
“We were in Benidorm last week and we just decided to come down - we couldn’t miss it,” he said.
“I’m absolutely buzzing - I think we’re going to do it, like.
“I’d even be happy with 1-0 but I think we’re going to get it.
“They say there’s going to be 100,000 Gers but I think there’ll be more - it’s going to be huge.”
It’s not just Scots who have made the pilgrimage to the Spanish south-west.
Pals Stewart Gourley and Trevor Ferguson have journeyed from Derryloran, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland to cheer on the Light Blues - and have snapped up hallowed briefs for the match itself at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.
The Record bumped into the pair outside Irish bar O'Neills, which has closed for "maintenance" ahead of Wednesday night's clash.
Trevor, 44, booked cheap flights before Rangers were even assured of their shot at European glory - and snapped up hotel rooms two days after the team thrashed RB Leipzig on May 5 as disappointed German and West Ham fans cancelled their reservations.
“The prices are massive - the cheapest rooms we’ve got at the moment are £700, £800,” he said.
“My wife’s got a ticket too - the atmosphere is going to be unreal.”
He added: “I was in Manchester when we were last in the final [during the 2008 UEFA Cup] and we were just happy to be there. This time we have to win.
“The way we’ve focused this season, we’ve put the time in for Europe, we’re bound to.
“We put out Dortmund, we put out Leipzig, we’ve got no fear.”
Stewart, 31, reckons Rangers followers will behave themselves on Wednesday night regardless of the outcome.
He said: “There’s a lot of Rangers fans making their way up - there were about 100 of us travelling from Faro last night.
“We’re all going to be on our best behaviour. I think today and tomorrow will be the big drinking days but on Wednesday I want to watch the game and remember it.
“A lot of folk have come here with their families and at the end of the day we’re all here for a good time and a jolly.”
The atmosphere on the streets of Seville is calm on Monday - if it wasn’t for the flashes of blue and orange in the streets as Gers fans pass you by you might not know there’s a game on.
Hospitality workers and shopkeepers are largely nonplussed by the Scottish invasion to date.
But the fans who have arrived are in good spirits, and game for a good match on Wednesday - so don't expect the streets of Seville to stay quiet for long.
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