MANCHESTER will set up big screens for up to 100,000 Rangers fans travelling to the city for the Uefa cup final.

The city council had already agreed to install “fan zones”, serving food and drink, in Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens.

Now town hall chiefs and police have agreed supporters should be able to watch the match live on huge temporary screens in those areas.

Screens have been confirmed for both zones, in Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens, after high level meetings involving police and town hall chiefs yesterday.

Senior council sources indicated that a massive outcry on our website, manchestereveningnews.co.uk, had helped tip the balance.

The decision will satisfy people on both sides of the border who have called for travelling Rangers fans without tickets to be able to see the action next Wednesday.

Both the Glasgow club and their Russian opponents, Zenit St Petersburg, have been given 13,000 seats at the showpiece final in the city of Manchester stadium.

Rangers fans plan to descend on the city in massive numbers – with some fans groups estimating 100,000 will arrive.

Welcoming

Pat Karney, the council’s city centre spokesman, said: “Manchester is looking forward to welcoming fans from Rangers FC and from FC Zenit St Petersburg for a day to remember on May 14.

“Our city is well used to friendly invasions of many thousands of visitors for major events like the Uefa cup final.

"Fans zones with entertainment and access to food and drink throughout the day have always been part of our plans for this event. “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.

“Pubs and clubs across the city will also provide opportunities for many thousands of fans to enjoy the match and soak of the atmosphere of the big day. “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.”

Supported calls

Both Scotland’s first minister Alex Salmond and the Manchester Pub and Club network had supported calls for screens.

Network spokesman Phil Burke said: “We don’t want people to go away saying, ‘It’s rubbish in Manchester, there was no big screen and we couldn’t get into a bar because it was so full.’”

The decision to have screens was taken by council leader Sir Richard Leese and city centre spokesman Pat Karney, after consultation with police.

Senior council sources said the two men were heavily swayed by an unprecedented outpouring of postings from Scottish fans on our website, www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk.
The Uefa cup final is expected to be worth £5m to the Manchester economy.

Hotels as far away as Blackpool were reported to be fully booked, with some fan website estimating 100,000 people could be set to descend on Manchester from the Scottish capital.
Council chiefs also plan to lay on live entertainment and a series of three-a-side football tournaments for young people in Castlefield.