Rangers were successful in stopping Athletic from scoring in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at Ibrox last week.
Rangers’ Robin Pröpper was sent off in the 16th minute, but the La Liga side failed to take advantage of having an extra man.
The return leg will take place at the Estadio San Mamés tomorrow, and the number of Rangers fans is a concern for the local authorities.
That’s according to AS, who state 2,600 tickets have been allocated to the Scottish club, while around 4,000 Rangers supporters are to arrive in Bilbao for Thursday’s clash to support Barry Ferguson’s side whether at the ground or in the city.
This is a major challenge for the Basque police as the number is double what the likes of Elfsborg, AZ Alkmaar, Slavia Prague, Viktoria Plzen and Roma brought.
AS add a group of Rangers fans have rented out a nightclub, Sala Sonora in Erandio, to accommodate some of those supporters who arrive without a ticket. Local authroities want to prevent disturbances or vandalism.
“The Ertzaintza (Basque Police) will do everything necessary [to prevent disturbances],” Basque Security Minister Bingen Zupiria said.
Ertzaintza officials will be guarding the stadium three hours before kick-off so that Rangers’ supporters can enter without any concerns. AS state there’ll be traffic restrictions in and around San Mamés hours before the kick-off.
