'Bear trek' starts to Manchester

Thousands of overseas-based Rangers fans are making the journey to Manchester for the Uefa Cup Final. The BBC Scotland news website heard from the 'Dubai Loyal'.

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The Dubai Loyal Rangers Supporters Club - the Desert Bears - will leave for Manchester on Tuesday.

More than 50 members are making the pilgrimage with an average cost to each member of £2,000.

While the majority of Scottish fans face a four-hour road trip, the Dubai supporters will take a seven-hour flight passing through two different time zones.

Club president Norman MacDonald said the cost for members would probably rise to £3,000 once a ticket and "refreshments" had been added in.

If it's like this 4,000 miles away I cannot imagine what Glasgow will be like this week Norman MacDonald Dubai Loyal RSC

"The members have paid an average of £800 per match ticket but I think we have all told our better halves it was £200.

"I went to Florence as I was not optimistic about getting to the final.

"Now I've had to explain to my wife, why, when I said no more trips this year, I meant no more trips after Manchester.

"To soothe any potential misunderstanding I've had to buy her a new fridge, shopping vouchers and the latest iPod - so you can add another £1,000 of indirect costs."

Members of the Dubai Loyal attended the Fiorentina game

Mr MacDonald said members were travelling from throughout the region, including from Azerbaijan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

"I am taking an average of an e-mail every three minutes as the lads are like five-year-old kids on Christmas Eve," he said.

"One guy phoned me last night to say he cannot sleep because of the match and another has had his bag packed and left by the door for the last seven days.

"If it's like this 4,000 miles away I cannot imagine what Glasgow will be like this week."

Mr MacDonald's experience is not unique. Rangers fans in North America, Asia and Australia have similar tales to tell.

They will all be hoping that Manchester provides a happy ending on Wednesday.