DARRYL BROADFOOT August 14 2008

Rangers fans have been named the best in Europe by Uefa. The Scottish outfit's supporters received the 2008 Uefa Fair Play Award on Thursday for their behaviour during the club's run to the Uefa Cup final last season.

European football's governing body paid tribute to the 180,000 fans that had travelled to Manchester to help create a carnival atmosphere in the English city.

Rangers Supporters Trust spokesman David Edgar said: "The Fair Play Award is a fantastic tribute to the Rangers supporters who represented the club in Europe so magnificently and in large numbers last season. Rangers supporters have travelled in large numbers throughout Europe over many years and they have rightly earned an excellent reputation during this time. The Fair Play Award is further recognition of the Rangers supporters' high standing in Europe and an honour which is well deserved."

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain added: "The backing the team received from supporters throughout our entire Uefa Cup run both home and away was overwhelming and the supporters' behaviour was a credit to the club. Despite the disappointment in Manchester, Rangers Uefa Cup challenge and the crucial role which the supporters played in this effort will be remembered and treasured for years to come."

Rangers season ticket holders Brian McMaster and John MacLeod will accept the award at the annual Uefa Football Gala in Monte Carlo later this month.

One of your poorer wind ups Glasnost

You've missed out the bit where we cured cancer and sorted the Israeli/Palestinian issue over a pint.

Or would that have over egged the pudding?