Council to erect giant screens for Rangers fans to watch UEFA Cup Final

Tens of thousands of ticketless Rangers fans will be able to watch the Uefa Cup final on big screens when they descend on Manchester, it was announced today.

Council chiefs will be showing the match at fan zones at key places in the city centre.

The game against Zenit St Petersburg takes place on May 14, and more than 100,000 Rangers fans are expected to flood the city.

Police and the city council previously advised fans not to travel without a ticket.

But today it was confirmed that big outdoor screens would be installed in response to demand from fans.

Manchester City Council's spokesman on the city centre, Councillor Pat Karney, said: "In the light of Rangers qualifying for the final and the massive reported demand from fans for bigger and better provision, we've arranged for big outdoor screens for fans to watch the match.

"Manchester is looking forward to welcoming fans from Rangers FC and from FC Zenit St Petersburg for a day to remember on 14 May.

"Our city is well used to friendly invasions of many thousands of visitors for major events like the UEFA Cup final.

"I'm confident that Manchester will give a very warm welcome to fans from Rangers and from Zenit and that all fans will have a fabulous day."

Up to 100,000 supporters are expected to make the journey south for the game from Scotland.

But the ground holds just 44,000 and Rangers fans are only getting an allocation of 13,000 tickets.

The outdoor screens will be placed in Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens, while pubs and clubs will also show the match.

The council said that fan zones with entertainment and access to food and drink throughout the day have always been part of plans for the event at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Vicky Rosin, Assistant Chief Executive of Manchester City Council told BBC Radio Scotland: "We are looking forward to it. Somebody has described it as a friendly invasion and that's what we are expecting and what we are getting ready for.

"Our two cities are very similar in many ways. We are passionate about our football, we are passionate about sport generally and we are also known for making visitors very very welcome just as we did with the Commonwealth Games and as we know Glasgow will in 2014.

"It's all about good partnerships and a good welcome for everybody."

The match will also be shown at a free screening at Rangers home stadium of Ibrox in Glasgow.

It will be beamed on to a 100sq m screen, the biggest in the world, which is being specially shipped in for the occasion.

Entry is free and the capacity is 25,000, and food and refreshments will be available.