The Spanish media had been relatively positive towards Celtic fans travelling to Spain for the second leg match against Valencia.
Although the game would be considered high risk, it was accepted the supporters from Celtic would simply be arriving for a couple of days of sun, beer and good atmosphere.
Following a fire at a Rangers bar in Benidorm, things have changed.
Super Deporte, who had been positive towards the ‘invasion’ says the atmosphere has now been ‘tarnished’ by whoever attacked the Rangers bar.
Whilst it’s still accepted that ‘the vast majority are jovial’, now there’s the ‘always exceptions’ line being added.
The fire is said to have started when, as it’s reported, Celtic supporters set alight to Rangers flags.
Glasgow’s clubs have a renewed rivalry with Steven Gerrard looking to provide as strong competition as he can to Brendan Rodgers’ side. The last time the two clubs met, in late December, a Ryan Jack goal sealed the win for Gerrard’s Rangers, although Celtic are still eight points clear of their rivals.
There’s been reports of a heavy handed response from the Spanish police, which is how they usually handle even the slightest of trouble with visiting fans for European matches.
Thursday morning brings a fresh story from Cadena Ser about a group of what they call ‘hooligans’ being evicted from a train at Albacete on Wednesday night.
Albacete is on the main line from Madrid, and the Celtic followers travelling to Valencia were said to be ‘in a clear state of intoxication, shouting, singing and disturbing other passengers.’
The train guard asked the fans to move carriages, trying to get them altogether, and Cadena Ser say they were kicked off after refusing.
It’s unfortunate that the situation has changed, given how positive the expectation in Spain was. Often such a large amount of travelling fans from the UK would be branded ‘hooligans’ by some in the Spanish media before they even arrived, this time was different.
