Jump to content

Rangers pubs in Barcelona


DavidC93

Recommended Posts

On 5 December 2016 at 11:25 AM, cr3_bear said:

Ā 

How Rangers became Espanyol fansā€™ second team

Twenty Spanish supporters came to Ibrox for the win over Aberdeen and here in the first part of our series that explains the links between Scottish clubs and continental teams, we lift the lid of why they were there.

258SHARES

BYGARY ARMSTRONG

09:06, 5 DEC 2016

UPDATED09:14, 5 DEC 2016

Some of the Espanyol Rangers Supportersā€™ Club members at Ibrox for the game against Aberdeen

258SHARES

Ā Ā 

Ā 

A crowd of 50,003 packed into Ibrox on Saturday to watchĀ RangersĀ earn redemption after a midweek horror show at Hearts.Ā 

Among the thousands of jubilant Light Blues supporters were 20 Espanyol fans who had travelled from their home city of Barcelona to embrace the Glasgow giants as their second team.

The founder of the Espanyol Rangers Supporters Club is a Spanish native with a Scottish mother and a Glasgow accent named Andy, who insists there are more similarities between the two clubs than initially meets the eye.

He lifts the lid on the origins of the link, explaining Espanyol supporters are mostly loyal to the Spanish union in a city where so many want Catalan independence.

Some Espanyol and Rangers fans share a similar political outlook

Twenty Spaniards helped make up the 50,000 crowd against Aberdeen

Here in the first part of our series of Scottish clubs with links to continental teams, Andy says: "In Barcelona, there are two teams -Ā FC BarcelonaĀ and Espanyol.Ā 

"Barcelona are associated with the political status quo in Catalonia - the desire for independence, whereas Espanyol are directly linked to loyalism in Spain, the preserve of the countryā€™s union.

"A vast majority of Espanyol fans are Spanish loyalists and it is uncomfortable to be an Espanyol fan publicly in Catalonia because of the economic and political situation here.

"Because of this, the coverage is always on FC Barcelona and Espanyol do not get on the news so much.

"As such we do not get much money, and we feel Espanyol are mirrored with Rangers in terms of the economic situation, but also because of the atmosphere, loyalty, passion and the colour blue that both teams share."

Andy also believes the relationship between Barca and Celtic helps bring his two favourite teams together.

There is an affinity between the fans of Celtic and Barca

As Messi and Co arrived in Glasgow last month for a Champions League showdown with the Scottish champions, everyone from the Barcelona president to the traveling fans were greeted warmly by those wearing Hoops.

ā€œCeltic are much well more known here because of the bond between them and Barca,ā€ adds Andy.

ā€œThe mass media talks about Barca and Celtic because of what they share in terms of atmosphere and history.

ā€œBut Rangers are well known within our crowd.

ā€œWhen I first started to go to Espanyol games I saw Rangers scarves. They are our Scottish family.ā€

The historic tie between the two teams was further strengthened in 2000 when Espanyol legend Raul Tamudo arrived at Ibrox for a medical.

Ā 

Former Rangers target Raul Tamudo reveals Espanyol fans named supporters' club after the doctor that killed his Ibrox move

Rangers club doctor Gert Jan Goudswaard advised Dick Advocaat against the move, extending the strikerā€™s stay at the Periquitos (Spanish for ā€˜Budgiesā€™) by a decade, much to the delight of the Espanyol faithful.

ā€œThis is a well-known story,ā€ Andy confirms.

ā€œHe is a legend here but Rangers would have been a brilliant destination for him.

ā€œBoth clubs also had Vladimir Weiss, a good player, and he also strengthens the bond between our teams.ā€

As Andy and his friends were toasting Rangers much-needed success over Aberdeen in Glasgow, Espanyol achieved a significant result of their own, holding Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital.

Espanyol won a point against AtletiĀ (Photo: David Ramos)

Ā 

But Andy insists he has no regrets in missing his local teamā€™s hard-fought draw against last seasonā€™s Champions League finalists: ā€œEspanyol donā€™t usually get a lot of away points so weā€™re very happy ā€“ itā€™s an excellent result.

ā€œBut it was a great experience yesterday watching Rangers.

ā€œThere were 20 Espanyol season-ticket holders there for our first game and others have already been.

ā€œOur Scottish family showed great hospitality towards us and there was a fantastic atmosphere.ā€

Espanyol find themselves in 12th position in La Liga but are on the fringes of a European spot.

Lee Hodson helped propel Rangers into second place with No.2 v Aberdeen

Meanwhile, the Light Blues have propelled themselves to second position in Scotlandā€™s top flight, albeit trail Brendan Rodgersā€™ Celtic by eight points, having played three games more.

And Andy feels this season has come too soon for Rangers to win the league.

ā€œThey wonā€™t manage to win the title this year ā€“ they still need to develop a bit.

Watch our Rangers blogger give his post-match Aberdeen verdict

Ā 

Ā 

ā€œBut they are playing well ā€“ they played an excellent game yesterday ā€“ and the atmosphere definitely helps.

ā€œHopefully they will be able to go for the title next year."

The Espanyol Rangers Supporters Club have booked to go to another Rangers match, travelling to Germany to watch their adopted Scottish side take on Oliver Burkeā€™s RB Leipzig on January 15.

Ā 

Some espanyol fans Ā seem to have a soft spot for us , might be worth looking for one of their pubs or supporters clubsĀ 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Upcoming Events

    • 30 March 2024 15:00 Until 17:00
      0  
      Rangers v Hibernian
      Ibrox Stadium
      Scottish Premiership
×
×
  • Create New...