SHOW RESPECT

Please behave in Seville, Ibrox chief tells fans

RANGERS managing director Stewart Robertson has urged Rangers fans to ‘respect’ Seville and enjoy the occasion when they travel to next week’s Europa League final.

Tens of thousands of Ibrox supporters are set to head to Spain for the meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt, despite the club only having an official allocation of 9,500 tickets for the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

UEFA yesterday advised those without tickets against travelling, but Rangers fans have been frantically making plans ever since last Thursday night’s dramatic win over RB Leipzig. That set up the club’s first European showpiece since the 2008 UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester, which saw trouble in the city.

Robertson wants all those travelling to support Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side next Wednesday night — both within the stadium and outside — to leave Seville with a positive impression of the club.

‘To supporters with or without tickets, the

message is go and enjoy yourself, go and enjoy the occasion,’ he said. ‘I remember in 2008 thinking: “Will I see Rangers in a European final again?” and here we are. It is fantastic. Go and enjoy the occasion, go and be a good ambassador for Rangers. ‘We are going to a beautiful city, in Seville, go and enjoy the city but let’s go and do it in the right way, the right manner. Go and enjoy it, have a good time. ‘Regardless of numbers, go and do it, respect the city, respect the locals, there will be people going about their day-to-day business. I remember when Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid were in Glasgow (2002 Champions League final) and there was a great atmosphere in the city, so hopefully we can create a similar atmosphere in Seville. ‘There is going to be disruption to people’s day-to-day lives but hopefully we minimise that and do it in a way that is positive. And the local people, when we leave, have a good impression of Rangers and Rangers supporters.’ Robertson revealed Rangers were in talks with UEFA and Spanish authorities about a fan zone for those without tickets, with the club promising an update today. ‘There are discussions with UEFA over various fan zones and hopefully we can establish one for those for supporters travelling without tickets,’ he added. ‘UEFA and the authorities in Seville have been terrific to deal with so far, so fingers crossed we can get that sorted.’ Some Rangers fans who haven’t made travel plans had hoped for a screening of the final at Ibrox, but Robertson effectively ruled that out. ‘It is very unlikely because most of the key staff we need to organise and run such a beam back will be in Seville,’ he said. ‘I don’t think that will happen. ‘As much as I understand the desire of fans to gather in one place and watch it, I just don’t think it is going to be physically possible.’ After a dismayed reaction from fans on social media, supporters group Club 1872 have urged Robertson to think again over the beam-back. ‘We have offered to assist the club in any way we can to get Ibrox open for the game,’ they said in a statement. ‘We are also in dialogue with various third parties to assist the club and/or provide an alternative venue for supporters.’