Rangers supporters have descended on Manchester - and all points within travelling distance - by train, bus and car, bedecked with balloons and flags, with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts. Thousands more who cannot join the 100,000 expected to travel south will follow the action on a giant screen at Ibrox, ensuring Glasgow shares in the Uefa Cup final carnival atmosphere.
Rangers supporters have descended on Manchester - and all points within travelling distance - by train, bus and car, bedecked with balloons and flags, with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts. Thousands more who cannot join the 100,000 expected to travel south will follow the action on a giant screen at Ibrox, ensuring Glasgow shares in the Uefa Cup final carnival atmosphere.
Walter Smith and his team have the good wishes of the Prime Minister and the leader of every political party at Holyrood, while Scotland's First Minister will be cheering on the team in person. When Rangers meet Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium tonight, SPL rivalries and club loyalties can be suspended to support the last remaining Scottish team in European competition. There is more than a title and a trophy at stake, however. International competition, whether in individual or team events, is a measure of sporting prowess at the highest level, but friendly rivalry between supporters is also a measure of civilisation. Manchester is marketing itself as a friendly city, keen to bolster a sporting occasion by welcoming both sets of fans. After initial warnings to fans without tickets not to travel, they have made every effort to accommodate them by providing "fan zones" with giant screens for both Rangers and St Petersburg followers.
That is a fair reward for Rangers fans, who have had as good a European campaign as their team. Many regard tonight's final as a once-in-a-generation achievement, irrespective of the outcome, but British football's current success, with a Scottish team in the final of the Uefa Cup and two English teams in the final of the Champions' League, is evidence of its strength.
One of the most important aspects of tonight's match is that it has the power to inspire youngsters to aspire to sporting success and dream of glory. We wish Rangers the best of luck.
