THE eyes of the nation will be on Rovers tonight as Blackburn fans get set to roar their team on to victory in the Battle of Britain.

A fleet of coaches carrying 3,000 supporters was setting off from Ewood Park this afternoon for the UEFA Cup tie with Celtic in Glasgow.

Around 30 Celtic diehards from Blackburn are also heading for Scotland with the Celtic Supporters' Association.

Thousands of Rovers fans are expected to pack pubs throughout the Blackburn area and watch the live TV coverage.

And fans across the country will be interested observers as the Scottish champions and the former English champions clash.

Senior police officers from Lancashire were also travelling to Scotland to observe the Strathclyde Police operation.

The success or failure of their Scottish counterparts will have an influence on the police operation for the return leg on November 14.

Celtic have around 7,500 tickets for that clash, but many more fans are expected to travel down.

Pub landlords in the area, however, are focusing firmly on tonight's game and expecting a bumper night -- even if it costs them a fortune.

The Boar's Head, in Wensley Road, Blackburn, is offering a free pint for every one bought if Rovers win.

A similar offer was made after Blackburn's surprise win at Arsenal, resulting in fans nearly drinking the bar dry.

Landlord Andy Quirk -- an Everton fan -- said: "People got through 250 pints at the Arsenal match but it was worth it."