CELTIC supporters today extended an hand of friendship to Rovers fans ahead of tomorrow's UEFA Cup clash and said: "Come drink with us."

The Glasgow club's reputation has been tarnished in the past by the sectarian hooliganism with city rivals Rangers.

But Jim Divers, of the Celtic Supporters' Association, which has branches throughout the world including one in Darwen, said Blackburn supporters had nothing to fear from Hoops fans.

And he invited the 3,000 Rovers fans making the journey to the Gallowgate area of Glasgow, where Celtic fans congregate before games in 20 bars.

Police today reminded everyone attending the match to behave responsibly and support their team in the usual good-natured way.

Mr Divers added: "We will make them welcome. Glasgow is one of the most football-mad cities in the world. It's always good to take in the flavour of Glasgow.

"The public up here are used to football fans coming and as long as they are enjoying themselves, everyone will be happy.

"Celtic's Irish connections have created some misconceptions, but the fans just want to see good football. Blackburn play good football and we will appreciate that." Mr Divers denied that the atmosphere would be more aggressive due to Graeme Souness's time as manager of Rangers.

He said: "He will get some friendly banter but that's in the past now.

"We hope it's a healthy rivalry. We don't want any bitterness."

Mr Divers also suggested fans arriving into the Glasgow should visit the football museums at Hampden Park -- Scotland's national stadium -- and Celtic Park.

Football talk in the green and white side of Glasgow is dominated by the Rovers clash this week with Celtic eager to win the Battle of Britain.

Mr Divers added: "The mood here is quietly confident, not over confident because Blackburn have held their own in the league.

"They have so many good players so it is not as if Celtic are playing minnows, but a first class team."

A spokesman for Strathclyde police said: "We welcome the fans to Glasgow and we hope they enjoy the match and their time in the city."

A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "Everyone attending the match should behave responsibly and have a good time and support their team in the spirit they always do.

"It's not our operation at Celtic, but we will have officers from the Eastern Division travelling up to observe how it goes."

Tommy Hamill, 51, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, is a member of the Celtic Supporters' Association's local branch which has around 102 members.

He said: "There are about 30 of us going from Blackburn to sit in the Celtic end, of course. It will be quite a match and I am confident we will be victorious."