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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady

Thousands of Rangers fans gather in sun-soaked Seville plaza ahead of planned march to stadium

Rangers fans have gathered in their thousands in one of Seville's main plazas hours before the Light Blues will fight to be crowned European champs.

Scores of Teddy Bears have packed out the Andalusian capital's Plaza Alameda de Hercules prior to the potentially history-making tie against Eintracht Frankfurt at 8pm UK time.

Fans brought the party to Seville with chants over megaphones, beach balls and even a piper - young Cameron Cochrane, 18, from Fife - who spurred fans on with a selection of club songs.

The plaza is the officially designated meeting point ahead of the team's fateful face-off at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, two and a half miles away.

Rangers fans have completely taken over one of Seville's main squares (Daily Record)

The electrifying atmosphere is being closely monitored by Spanish police - but fans are optimistic that they can both take home the trophy and behave themselves in the process.

Alan Johnstone, 31, from Carluke, has brought son Harley-Lee, 10, to see the Gers bring it home.

He said: "It's been brilliant - this is a once in a lifetime thing.

"The best thing is seeing all the families who have brought their kids, and Harley-Lee was determined to be here.

"He said to his mum: 'If we don't get flights we're taking daddy's car and driving there.'

"We're winning it - I reckon 3-1, and we need the first goal. I reckon Ryan Kent will score."

Andy Baird and Ian Smith are amped for the match (Daily Record/Jon Brady)

Work mates Andy Baird, 36, and Ian Smith, 49, believe the Gers are destined to take the trophy home.

Andy, from Newton Mearns, said: "To be here, from the third division to Europe in ten years, is ridiculous.

"My son's two years old and this is something I'll be telling him about for years to come.

"It's a proper party atmosphere."

Piper Cameron Cochrane, 18, from Fife, delighted fans with Rangers tunes (Daily Record)

Ian, from Newmains, added: "It's been relaxed, it's celebratory, we've been brilliant and the Frankfurt fans have been brilliant.

"We're winning it, 2-1. But it won't be straightforward - Rangers do things the hard way."

Paul Kerr, 31, from Johnstone, said: "This is all incredible - I'd even say it's emotional.

"We're all here for a party - we're not interested in fighting, we're interested in winning."

Gers fans are basking in 34C (93F) heat ahead of the showdown at the Ramon Jiminez Pizjuan stadium in Seville.

The city's local economy is expected to benefit to the tune of €60 million while fans of both teams are in town.

Around 100,000 Rangers fans and 60,000 Frankfurt followers are thought to be in the city today.

Rangers icons have issued videos on social media urging fans to do well by the club and show Seville respect.

Fans are hyped to see Giovanni van Bronckhort's squad lift the trophy (Daily Record)

But by and large the Bears' presence in the city has not resulted in problems for the Sevillian people.

Rangers fans who were not lucky enough to get a ticket can pay €10 for access to an official fan zone beside La Cartuja Stadium.

The dedicated supporters' area has refreshments for sale - as well as a live broadcast of the match from inside the stadium.

Frankfurt fans have also been given their own fan zone around two miles away, keeping fans clear of one another.

While Rangers and Frankfurt fans have been mixing joyously across the city, the largely friendly atmosphere was tainted by the arrest of five Germans last night following clashes with Bears on the waterfront.

Spanish cops say hundreds of Frankfurt ultras may be to blame for the outbreak of violence on Tuesday evening.

Sevillian local authorities have announced a series of road closures to give fans a clear route in to and out of the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Rangers face off against Eintracht Frankfurt to be crowned Europa League champions at 8pm UK time - with the match available to watch for free on YouTube.

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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