POLICE intelligence officers claim known English football hooligans are in Glasgow for the friendly international against Scotland.
Detectives warned they had intelligence troublemakers were planning disorder at the friendly match at Celtic Park and had been working with the UK's national football policing unit to prevent any violence.
About 5000 England supporters are due to attend the match at Celtic Park tonight.
One of the UK's leading experts on public order and hooliganism has questioned the police stance on the issue, insisting the focus should be on facilitating the travelling support.
Dr Clifford Stott, of Leeds University's school of law, said the game would be policed no differently than a regular Scottish derby match.
Police issued the warning after it was revealed thousands of England fans had been asked to pick up their tickets in Glasgow city centre.
Chief Superintendent Andy Bates, event commander for the international match, said officers from the football policing unit were already in Glasgow and known troublemakers were being monitored.
He said: "Absolutely there's intelligence that suggests there maybe planned disorder.
"I'm concerned enough to make sure there will be a very robust policing operation in place. Gathering intelligence is key and we've been working closely with our colleagues in the UK football policing unit to gather and share information. We believe we know what is going to happen and are therefore ahead of the game."
The game is the first time Scotland and England have met north of the Border since 1999, when there was trouble in the city.
More than 250 fans appeared in court charged with public order offences after the Euro 2000 play-off game. The public have being warned to expect an increased police presence around the city, especially at transport hubs.
But Dr Stott, a principal research fellow in security and justice, said: "Let's be clear. England fans travelling abroad in the last few years have posed little if any problems to the security services and we've had a similar fixture with Scotland playing down in London and there was no problems there.
"It's like a local derby and has the same risk category as you would have for an Old Firm fixture or even the local derby between Hibs and Hearts. The idea we have a unprecedented level of risk is simply not true."
l Police have arrested 14 people in connection with disorder at a football match last month. Two 14-year-olds were among those held following an incident at Livingston v Rangers at Almondvale Stadium in West Lothian.
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