Rangers fans might not have Scotland to cheer on tonight, but the eyes of the global Ibrox support will be locked onto MetLife Stadium in New York as European heavyweights Spain collide with defending champions Argentina in a blockbuster 2026 FIFA World Cup final showpiece.
For the neutral observer, it is a mouthwatering battle of footballing philosophies. But for the Glasgow faithful, a major international showpiece can occasionally leave you looking for a genuine reason to care.
Thankfully, you do not have to look too far to find deep-rooted connections to Ibrox on both sides of the divide.
If you are struggling to plant your flag ahead of kick-off, here is the ultimate, historically grounded guide to deciding who the Ibrox faithful should root for under the New York floodlights.
Rangers take on Saint-Etienne in their first public friendly of the summer on Wednesday…
Cammy Devlin and Ivor Pandur are in contention!
The case for Spain: A nod to cult heroes and cultured midfielders
If you find yourself leaning toward La Roja tonight, you are backing a nation that has heavily shaped some of the most cherished memories in Govan.
The primary catalyst for supporting Spain is, undeniably, Nacho Novo. The fiery winger spent six glittering years at Rangers, embodying the exact ‘win-at-all-costs’ mentality that the Ibrox crowd demands.
From his 73 goals to famously netting the historic penalty in Florence that guided the Gers to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, Novo remains an honorary Scot in the eyes of the support.
Beyond Novo, a vote for Spain is a nod to the effortless technical brilliance of Mikel Arteta, who famously helped secure a dramatic treble in 2003 under Alex McLeish.
Furthermore, after watching Derek McInnes’ side put in gruelling double sessions under the blazing sun during their recent pre-season training camp, backing Spain feels like a polite ‘thank you’ to our summer hosts.
The case for Argentina: South American flair and the Claudio Reyna lineage
Should you choose to back La Albiceleste, you are tapping into a legacy of box-office entertainment, cult heroes and elite footballing DNA.
The retro angle here belongs entirely to Gaby Amato. Signed by Dick Advocaat in 1998 during the height of the club’s big-spending revolution, the long-haired Argentinian striker brought a unique, erratic brand of South American flair to Govan.
His spectacular goals and unpredictable style paved the way for a historic treble-winning season, cementing him as an enduring cult hero of that golden era.
There is also a deeper, highly respected family bloodline connecting Ibrox to Buenos Aires.
Rangers Hall of Fame midfielder Claudio Reyna may have played his international football for the United States, but his father, Miguel Reyna, was a professional footballer from Argentina who heavily shaped Claudio’s world-class style of play.
Claudio’s son, current international star Gio Reyna, who was famously born in Glasgow while his dad pulled the strings in the Rangers midfield, carries that proud Argentinian heritage in his veins.
It is also worth noting that both Amato and Reyna shared the dressing room with McInnes during their time together at the club.
Which formation should Derek McInnes use at Rangers?
Given the players he's got so far, there are a number of ways that the team can play…
The verdict: Who should Rangers fans back?
If you prefer patient, technical mastery and want to honour the legacy of men like Nacho Novo, who gave everything for the badge, Spain is your team.
However, if you gravitate toward fierce, unapologetic passion, structural grit, and want to evoke the ghost of Gaby Amato’s brilliant 1998 flair, then Argentina deserves your backing.
Either way, sit back and enjoy a spectacular final, knowing that the fingerprints of Ibrox history are scattered all over the pitch.
After all, McInnes and Co. do not return to action until Wednesday, when they face Saint-Etienne at Ibrox in the first public friendly of the summer.
