Rangers supporters from Tayside and Fife are among tens of thousands making elaborate trips to Seville for the Europa League final.
A mass migration to Spain is expected over the coming days for what is one of the biggest matches in the side’s history.
But direct flights to Andalusia booked up rapidly, leaving many mapping out complex routes involving multiple flights.
Three-day journey from Dundee to Seville
One fan from Dundee will reach Seville after almost three days of travelling – including a bus journey, two flights, and a 370-mile drive.
Derren Gordon, who is a member of the Monifieth Loyal Rangers Supporters’ Club, will leave Dundee at 8pm on Monday for Newcastle Airport before flying to Amsterdam on Tuesday morning.
Edinburgh to Palma- ☑️
Palma to Seville- ⏳We are on our way 🇬🇧🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/1biTtWMvk4
— Lee (@leejclarke1872) May 16, 2022
He will then fly to Alicante to meet friends and pick up a hire car before a five-and-a -half hour drive from there to Seville.
The 19-year-old says the gruelling journey doesn’t faze him.
He said: “I didn’t manage to book it until a few days after the semi-final win against RB Leipzig so by that time everything had gone up [in price].
“It’ll take a while to get there but I don’t mind, I’ll do anything for Rangers.”
He added: “We don’t have tickets for the game but we do for the fan zone in Estadio La Cartuja [a 60,000 seater stadium where Celtic lost to Porto in the Uefa Cup final in 2003].
“It’ll be a great experience.”
The game on Wednesday is Rangers’ first European final since losing 2-0 to Zenit Saint Petersburg in Manchester in 2008.
It comes just 10 years on from the club’s financial crisis and demotion to Scotland’s third division.
Derren added: “I wasn’t old enough for the Uefa Cup final in Manchester in 2008 so it’s great we’ve done it again already.
“I’m really happy for the kids who support Rangers who have watched the team play in the lower divisions.
“We’ve got a great chance to win it.”
Barrhead Travel has revealed in the week leading up to the final, Seville is the number one booked location.
On train from Madrid to Seville. Three @RangersFC fans next to us have been on the go for 43 hours in their journey from Australia. None of them have a ticket.
— Ronnie Esplin (@RonnieEsplin) May 16, 2022
But fans are not just travelling from Scotland, with many from all over the world making the journey.
Those from as far afield as Australia have travelled to Europe for the match with some reportedly on the move for two days straight.
Some even tried to book a hot air balloon for the trip while another said he has been forced to fly back via Morocco due to the lack of options.
Mass migration to Seville
Only around 10,000 Rangers fans have been allocated tickets to the match at the 43,000 seater Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium but some are predicting 80,000 or more Light Blues fans could descend on the city.
Eintracht Frankfurt are also expected to bring a sizable contingent over from Germany.
Ian Cathro, president of Monifieth Loyal Rangers Supporters’ Club, said: “As supporters, we are absolutely delighted at Rangers’ progress into the final of the UEFA Europa League.
Edinburgh – Manchester – Bologna – Malaga – seville WE ARE ON OUR WAY🇬🇧🇬🇧
— scott (@Scottsmith38_) May 16, 2022
“We are under absolutely no illusion this will be a tough match.
“Any team that can eliminate Barcelona from the competition is a force to be reckoned with and deserves our respect.
“That said, we have also performed very well in the competition so we believe that we have a chance and can win.
“Regardless of the score, we hope that the football spectacle is of the highest standards and that both sets of supporters enjoy themselves and respect their hosts.”
He added: “Those of us in the Rangers family without tickets, or unable to travel, have made alternative arrangements to watch the match.
“We are hopeful for a great evening and to add another chapter to our fantastic 150-year history.”
The game kicks off on Wednesday at 8pm BST and is being broadcast for free from 6.30pm by rights holders BT Sport.
