Ferguson sympathises with Scots

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson admits it is getting harder for Scottish clubs to reach the knock-out phase of the Champions League.

Ferguson knows a win for Manchester United at Celtic tonight will not only ease the holders into the last 16 but confirm the elimination of Gordon Strachan’s men.

While both halves of the Old Firm have reached the UEFA Cup final in recent times, only twice have they made the latter stages of Europe’s number one club competition.