Posted 15 May 2008 - 20:52
I was in Manchester yesterday and had an absolutely blinding day. The banter was fantastic, I didn't feel the need to have an alcoholic drink and got to see the game in Albert Square, next to Manchester Victoria station.
My friends and I walked up to Piccadilly Gardens during the afternoon to pick up programmes and there seemed like an intimidating atmosphere where the main throng of Rangers congregated. It was a contrast to the more friendly and carnival atmosphere of Albert Square.
After getting our programmes, we headed back to the Albert Square area tp see the game. When Zenit scored their first, the mood seemed to change as the buoyant cheering and singing changed to a seething frustration.
We left just before the final whistle (I didn't realise it finished 2-0 until this morning) to try and return to our digs in Blackpool. The seething frustration had turned to anger. One moron kicked an empty bottle along the ground that hit my friend's leg and into some other rubbish.
Then there was a barney in trying to get on the train to Blackburn, which required a police presence in Victoria Station. We decided to try and get a taxi and as my friend was speaking to a taxi driver, we witnessed a fight between two Rangers "fans" outside the station then as we went to meet our taxi driver, who was taking us back to Blackpool, we saw four police fans flee by with cops in full riot gear.
On the road back we heard there was trouble, with my dad in particular worried about my whereabouts and I didn't see just how bad it was until I saw the footage when I got home.
I am truly ashamed to be a Rangers fan after seeing that and it has taken a massive shine from what was a fabulous experience. The result disappointed me naturally, but other than that it was a perfect day.
However these morons are not football fans, for me, and have ruined the club's reputation in Europe. From what I gather, I don't believe the police were heavy-handed in any way and I think, judging by what I've read and seen, they reacted in the only way possible.
I think had the final been played outwith the UK there wouldn't have been as many problems, but that's not to say there wouldn't have been any at all. There is clearly a hooligan element who masquerade themselves as Rangers fans and I won't be surprised if Rangers are banned from Europe as a result, especially when I heard a Zenit fan was stabbed within the City of Manchester Stadium.
I'm astounded and upset what should have been a massive party has turned into a riot and any decent Rangers fan will condemn this. I'm also disappointed the club themselves have not appeared to make any move to distance themselves from these thugs.
I saw many things that shocked me, such as a child, walking next to his father, swigging Blue WKD from his own bottle. But for the bampot who through his bottle through the big screen that didn't work at Piccadilly Gardens, that was a real mature way of dealing with the frustration in trying to get it fixed. I wonder if he does that if his own telly doesn't work at home, assuming he's heard of a TV licence.
I can understand the frustration of that situation and admit I wouldn't be happy myself, but for it to begin a full scale riot is ridiculous.
I hate to admit it, but we are Scotland's shame indeed!
"Drop your weapons! You're surrounded by armed b*****ds!!"