Robin van Persie says Ibrox holds a special place in his heart after he made his European debut there against Rangers in 2002.
And the Arsenal legend reckons the atmosphere in Glasgow's isn't "hostile" - but "loud and friendly." Van Persie will return to Ibrox for this month's Weekend of Legends charity match as he'll feature for the World Legends for the second year running but it was all the way back in 2002 that he had his first experience there. He was given the nod by Feyenoord to play in European competition for the first time as he got off the bench in a UEFA Cup tie.
It's a memory he cherishes as he and former Celtic defender Glenn Loovens got their first taste of Euro action. And he says his first experience of the "electric" Ibrox atmosphere is one that still lives with him today. He told Rangers TV: "I made my European debut at Ibrox. I have a very good memory of that evening. The evening before I was with Glenn Loovens in our room and we were thinking ahead of the game.
"Glenn was starting and I knew I was coming on as a sub so I was like 'we're going to make our debut at Ibrox in front of 40,000+ people. It was a big moment for me and the atmosphere was electric, it was unreal.
"I came on after 70 minutes and the atmosphere gave me such a buzz. I was a bit used to places like that because I was playing for Feyenoord where the atmosphere is great. This was similar but away from home."
It's likely to be a different atmosphere to that one when he runs out for a friendly on March 26 but overall he doesn't recall the Ibrox atmosphere as hostile. He added: "Ibrox has a fantastic atmosphere but it's like a positive, aggressive atmosphere. It's not hostile, it's loud but friendly. That is what I like, because the fans in the UK and Scotland are very passionate. They can cheer a nice tackle as well as a fantastic goal."
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