ROVERS fans have been told to arrive almost an hour early for the Celtic game -- or risk missing kick off due to a painstaking security operation.

Stewards and police are attempting to check every supporter's ticket before they are allowed near the turnstiles for the UEFA Cup clash on Thursday.

It is to ensure that Celtic fans do not infiltrate other parts of Ewood Park, as Manchester City supporters did on the last game of the 1999-2000 season.

The match -- dubbed the Battle of Britain -- will be the second leg of the tie which stands at 1-0 to Celtic after the first leg two weeks earlier.

The same security technique was successfully used for Rovers' explosive home clash with deadly rivals Burnley on April 1 2001.

Ewood Park has permanent security fencing around the ground which segregates the home and away turnstiles.

The police and stewards will set up check points on entrances in the security fence so that supporters cannot get through to the turnstile area without showing their tickets.

Superintendent Dave Mallaby said the process would have taken too long to do on the turnstiles, so this was the best way.

He added: "It is about making sure we have the right people in the ground and that will slow people getting in.

"People must arrive early.

"It's a 7.45pm kick off and if you are not there by 7pm you may well face significant delays and will miss the kick off."

The Fernhurst and Star Lodge, the official away supporters' pub in Ewood, is putting up a marquee in the pub's car park in anticipation of the influx of Celtic fans.

The 100ft by 30ft marquee will provide room for 500 fans and house its own bar and big television screen.

The move was made with the co-operation of the police. It will see a huge police presence, the employment of 14 security staff and 20 extra bar staff from Blackpool.