SCOTS and Russians have set up camp in the Manchester sunshine - and got straight down to partying together.

Fans of Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg flocked to the city's bars and open spaces determined to soak up the big match build up.

Thousands of Rangers fans were pitching tents in makeshift camps across the region as cup final fever took hold. Others without accommodation said it didn't matter because they had `no plans to sleep' after tonight's match.

In the city centre it was the vast numbers of Glaswegians who clearly outnumbered the Russians. Hundreds were gathered in Piccadilly Gardens and Albert Square in soaring temperatures.

Over 300 noisy Rangers fans converged on Sinclair's Oyster Bar in Cathedral Gardens. Most sported their club's red, white and blue colours - and were intent on making the most of their trip to the city.

Jon Doc, 29, from Bearsden, near Glasgow,said: "Thisis the biggest match of our lives. We're here to have a party and we'll be well behaved - don't worry about that."

Many were still desperately searching for match tickets while others swapped tales of mammoth accommodation prices. Some had paid as much as £400 for a room for tonight in city centre hotels.

Others spoke of paying over £1,000 for a match ticket.

Notoriously patriotic, songs such as the National Anthem and Rule Britannia rang out from the colourful crowds as bemused shoppers walked by. Most Rangers fans seemed confident that the trophy would be heading back to Scotland with them.

Duncan Miller, 34, from Broxburn, said: "It'll be 0-0 and we'll win on penalties!"

But fans of their Russian opponents sent out a warning.

Andrei Krechmar, 41, his wife Olga, 43, and daughter Anastasia, 11, had arrived on an early morning flight from St Petersburg.

"It is our trophy and it comes back with us," said Andrei.

Click here to share your pictures

Were you snapped? Click here to buy your picture

He added: "Manchester seems like a beautiful place, although not as beautiful as St Petersburg. The people are very friendly and we are here for a good time."

Up to 5,000 Scottish supporters were expected to pitch their tents at Burnage Rugby Club which has transformed its nine-hole golf course into a campsite for 48 hours.

The club, in Heaton Mersey, has ordered a six-week supply of beer for its guests who are paying £25 for the two-night stay or £15 for one night.

Club manager Andy Green was approached by events company Bear Camp, which specialises in arranging football tours for fans, after it became clear that thousands would be left without hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation. He said: "We've never opened as a camp site before and this has only swung into action since Friday.

"We're expecting a mix of people - groups of lads as well as families. The majority of them don't have tickets but we have a big screen here, a fully stocked bar and we're putting on barbecues."

Lifelong Rangers fans John Harvey and Robert Downie were the first to pitch their tents. John said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, we've no tickets for the match but we couldn't miss being a part of it."

Other Rangers fans without hotel rooms were expected to spend the night in their cars, camper vans or hunt for rooms. Many said they did not plan to sleep at all.

One family, including 87-year-old Rangers-mad gran, Matti Jordan, were setting up camp at a relative's house in Salford, with five of them staying in a tent in the back garden because the house is full up.

Manchester city council said it also expected to fans to pitch tents in the city's park areas such as Sackville Gardens, in the city centre, and Philip's Park, near the stadium.

Some fans were disappointed to find the special fan villages were not open yesterday.

Publican Ian Phillips, 51, from Glasgow, said that the city had `clearly missed a trick' by not setting up the zones until match day.

He said: "I'll tell you now I'd be selling beer if this was Glasgow - they must be missing out on a small fortune."

Click here to share your pictures

Were you snapped? Click here to buy your picture
Tweet