Join thousands of fans who have signed up to our Rangers newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A crowd of 50,003 packed into Ibrox on Saturday to watch Rangers earn redemption after a midweek horror show at Hearts.

Among the thousands of jubilant Light Blues supporters were 20 Espanyol fans who had travelled from their home city of Barcelona to embrace the Glasgow giants as their second team.

The founder of the Espanyol Rangers Supporters Club is a Spanish native with a Scottish mother and a Glasgow accent named Andy, who insists there are more similarities between the two clubs than initially meets the eye.

He lifts the lid on the origins of the link, explaining Espanyol supporters are mostly loyal to the Spanish union in a city where so many want Catalan independence.

Here in the first part of our series of Scottish clubs with links to continental teams, Andy says: "In Barcelona, there are two teams - FC Barcelona and Espanyol.

"Barcelona are associated with the political status quo in Catalonia - the desire for independence, whereas Espanyol are directly linked to loyalism in Spain, the preserve of the country’s union.

"A vast majority of Espanyol fans are Spanish loyalists and it is uncomfortable to be an Espanyol fan publicly in Catalonia because of the economic and political situation here.

"Because of this, the coverage is always on FC Barcelona and Espanyol do not get on the news so much.

"As such we do not get much money, and we feel Espanyol are mirrored with Rangers in terms of the economic situation, but also because of the atmosphere, loyalty, passion and the colour blue that both teams share."

Andy also believes the relationship between Barca and Celtic helps bring his two favourite teams together.

As Messi and Co arrived in Glasgow last month for a Champions League showdown with the Scottish champions, everyone from the Barcelona president to the traveling fans were greeted warmly by those wearing Hoops.

“Celtic are much well more known here because of the bond between them and Barca,” adds Andy.

“The mass media talks about Barca and Celtic because of what they share in terms of atmosphere and history.

“But Rangers are well known within our crowd.

“When I first started to go to Espanyol games I saw Rangers scarves. They are our Scottish family.”

The historic tie between the two teams was further strengthened in 2000 when Espanyol legend Raul Tamudo arrived at Ibrox for a medical.

Rangers club doctor Gert Jan Goudswaard advised Dick Advocaat against the move, extending the striker’s stay at the Periquitos (Spanish for ‘Budgies’) by a decade, much to the delight of the Espanyol faithful.

“This is a well-known story,” Andy confirms.

“He is a legend here but Rangers would have been a brilliant destination for him.

“Both clubs also had Vladimir Weiss, a good player, and he also strengthens the bond between our teams.”

As Andy and his friends were toasting Rangers much-needed success over Aberdeen in Glasgow, Espanyol achieved a significant result of their own, holding Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the Spanish capital.

(Image: David Ramos) (Image: SNS Group)

But Andy insists he has no regrets in missing his local team’s hard-fought draw against last season’s Champions League finalists: “Espanyol don’t usually get a lot of away points so we’re very happy – it’s an excellent result.

“But it was a great experience yesterday watching Rangers.

“There were 20 Espanyol season-ticket holders there for our first game and others have already been.

“Our Scottish family showed great hospitality towards us and there was a fantastic atmosphere.”

Espanyol find themselves in 12th position in La Liga but are on the fringes of a European spot.

Meanwhile, the Light Blues have propelled themselves to second position in Scotland’s top flight, albeit trail Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic by eight points, having played three games more.

And Andy feels this season has come too soon for Rangers to win the league.

“They won’t manage to win the title this year – they still need to develop a bit.

Watch our Rangers blogger give his post-match Aberdeen verdict

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“But they are playing well – they played an excellent game yesterday – and the atmosphere definitely helps.

“Hopefully they will be able to go for the title next year."

The Espanyol Rangers Supporters Club have booked to go to another Rangers match, travelling to Germany to watch their adopted Scottish side take on Oliver Burke’s RB Leipzig on January 15.