Rangers fans have been left furious after a leading Times journalist commented on a story surrounding Irish bar closures in Seville ahead of the Europa League Final.
Tens of thousands of Bears are preparing to head out to sunny Spain for the showpiece Final and they will be joined by tens of thousands of Eintracht Frankfurt fans.
Ahead of the game, the Editor of the Times Scotland Magnus Llewellin claimed on Twitter that Irish bars would be shutting ahead of the visit of Rangers supporters.
“Irish pubs in central Seville are closing or employing additional bouncers during next week’s Europa League final which will see up to 100,000 Rangers fans travel to the city,” said Magnus [Twitter].
Many fans have taken it to suggest that Irish bars are shutting as a direct result of travelling Rangers supporters due to historic stereotypes and whilst this is not directly said, there have been accusations that it is inferred.
Disappointed supporters have also suggested the story is wholly irresponsible due to the fact that the article is based on quotes which do not appear to be Rangers specific.
The report claims one named Irish-themed bar – O’Neill’s – has shut on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the final for “security reasons”.
In an interview with another Irish-themed bar – named McGregor – the manager claims they are putting on extra bouncers due to clashes between Eintracht Frankfurt and Real Betis in the city in March.
There is no mention of Rangers.
“When they played here against Betis there was a big brawl,” said Juan Carlos Fernandez [Times].
“It really worries me.
“I’ll put people on the door to restrict entry to drunk people. We’ve already had problems with fans from other teams and we’re on maximum alert.”
Rangers fans let down by Irish bar claims
Rangers fans are bitterly disappointed by the Times with many believing it is obvious to anyone with a faint knowledge of life in the West of Scotland what the story is trying to get at.
There’s a feeling that this sort of content leans into unfair stereotypes about the Rangers support and fans have expressed much anger online.
Rangers fans have regularly frequented Irish bars on European trips without any issue and will continue to do so in the future.
Here’s a video of bluenoses singing the Fashion Sakala song in an Irish-themed bar in Copenhagen earlier in the season.
One supporter has also claimed that he has booked an Irish-themed bar in Spain ahead of the match with the pub being incredibly forthcoming.
Disappointed fans have spoken out against the a respected newspaper with supporters believing the story has suggestive undertones.
Meanwhile, Rangers are sitting on a veritable fortune and perhaps fans have an at-times under-fire director to thank.