Lawwell confident Celtic fans will behave

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has backed the 10,000 fans he predicts are travelling to Milan to preserve the club’s reputation.

Supporters without one of 4,850 allocated tickets have been warned to stay away from the city during the Champions League last-16 tie against AC Milan tomorrow.

The admittance of any fans had been in doubt after the death of a policeman in violence at Catania’s Sicilian derby with Palermo last month but the installation of new turnstiles has allowed the San Siro to open, albeit at a reduced capacity of 67,500.

However, increased security means Celtic fans have been told they will not get in with tickets for the home end.

The club has consistently urged fans without official tickets to stay at home but Lawwell admits such advice is likely to be ignored by thousands.

He said: “There are 4,850 tickets that we received and, it’s anybody’s guess, I would say at least double that will be travelling.

“We would have liked as many supporters as possible with us, clearly the more the better for us.

“But unfortunately we were instructed by the Milan authorities that only fans with tickets for our end will be allowed in and that’s something we have got to abide by.

“Our policy has always been that fans shouldn’t travel unless they get tickets through official sources and of course the tragedy of the death of the policeman made the arrangements more difficult. I would just ask for understanding at a very difficult time.

“The club have done all we can in terms of getting ticket allocation increased but unfortunately we have to abide by local authority instruction.”

Celtic fans won widespread praise when an estimated 80,000 travelled to Seville for the 2003 UEFA Cup final and Lawwell feels the atmosphere will be similar.

“I don’t see any difference to that,” he said. “I think they will be in town, they have been absolutely magnificent following us throughout the years and I don’t see any problem this time.”

Lawwell, speaking as Glasgow Airport was filled with hundreds of Hoops fans, pleaded for patience from those supporters who did have tickets.

“We request they get there early to avoid congestion. There are three new cordons in terms of entrance, one is photo identification, two is metal detection and thirdly the ticket turnstiles.”

One Celtic fan who will be assured of getting in the San Siro is defender Steven Pressley, who is ineligible after playing for Hearts in the qualifying rounds.

Parkhead manager Gordon Strachan is keen to have the whole squad involved and Pressley was joined by the likes of former Tynecastle team-mate Paul Hartley and broken leg victim Bobo Balde on the flight to Italy.

Pressley is eager to enjoy the trip and believes the Hoops have a chance of creating an upset after a goalless first leg.

He said: “Prior to signing I was well aware I couldn’t play in these fixtures but I’m delighted I’m travelling with the squad and I’m going to enjoy the occasion.

“My hope is I get the opportunity next season to take part.

“I genuinely think we have a real chance of progressing.”