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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady

Tensions flare between Rangers fans and Spanish cops as fans march to Seville stadium

Rangers fans are in full-on party mode ahead of tonight's fateful Europa League tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, tensions between fans and police en route to the game have threatened to overspill as crowds have booed riot police and supporters have had nippy exchanges with officers.

Thousands of Gers fans have marched from the Plaza Alameda de Hercules to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium ahead of kick-off at 8pm.

Along the way, they've been greeted by enthusiastic locals as well as opportunistic entrepreneurs lugging cooler boxes packed with ice and cans of beer - available to thirsty Bears at a rate of three tins for €10.

Tensions between anxious Rangers fans and Spanish cops are rising (Daily Record/Jon Brady)

Spanish cops have closed off streets across Seville's city centre to keep fans on track as they make their way to the stadium.

However, a combination of merry-making, near-40C heat and anxiety about the match ahead have led to fans squaring off against armour-clad Spanish officers.

Riot officers have been unafraid to use force to keep Bears on the designated route - resulting in a war of words.

Twins Lee and Bryan Kennedy are ready to cheer the Gers on (Daily Record/Jon Brady)

Fans booed cops when they were stopped at a busy crossroads - but the jeers quickly turned to cheers when it became clear they were halted to allow two busloads of Rangers players and staff proceed to the stadium.

And Gers fans say they're in no mood to spat with police - they just want to party.

Twins Lee and Bryan Morrison, 35, from Shettleston, are among those to have snapped up hallowed briefs for the game.

Lee said: "It's a great atmosphere, I'm loving life, and I only got here yesterday after sleeping in a chair in Starbucks during my transfer from Oslo."

Bryan added: "It's awesome. Even the locals are enjoying it, I think.

"With 100,000 of us here it's amazing. There's always the village idiots but that's not us.

"I reckon it'll be an even playing field tonight - I just hope we turn up."

German fans are equally enthusiastic about the night ahead - despite the good behaviour of the majority of supporters being overshadowed by the actions of ultras on Tuesday night.

Five Germans have been arrested after flares and missiles were hurled at Rangers supporters at Seville's riverside.

Fans on both sides also clashed earlier on Wednesday, throwing street furniture at one another.

The vast majority of Rangers fans have made it to the stadium without incident (Jon Brady/Daily Record)

But the majority of Frankfurt fans, like their Rangers counterparts, are determined not to let a few sour grapes spoil the whole bunch.

Chris Goediche, 56, from Frankfurt, said: "We like the Rangers fans. They're like us - positively crazy about their team.

"The rivalry is always friendly and I hope Wednesday is like a big party."

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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