RIVAL keepers Brad Friedel and Rob Douglas ensured this much-hyped 'Battle of Britain' remained goalless at the halfway stage after both men pulled off vital saves during a gripping first half.

It was Rovers who had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes but despite their territorial advantage they failed to find the opening goal.

David Thompson fired an early warning when his shot from distance flew inches wide of the post with only three minutes on the clock.

But it then took a wonderful save from Friedel to deny Stilian Petrov after the Hoops midfielder looked odds on to score with a free header from a Didier Agathe cross.

That was Celtic's one and only clear chance of the half as Rovers took control from then on in.

Only a smart save from Douglas denied Thompson after a flick from Egil Ostenstad had presented the England midfielder with a clear shooting chance.

And Dwight Yorke then narrowly failed to get a telling touch on a Thompson corner which flashed agonisingly across the face of goal.

Thompson continued to pull the strings in midfield and his clever flick and cross created another inviting opening for Yorke but his shot was blocked by an outstretched leg.

Celtic 1 (Larsson 85) Rovers 0

Tonight's teams...

Rovers (4-4-2): from right to left

Friedel

Neill, Taylor, Short, Johansson

Thompson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff

Ostenstad, Yorke

Subs: Dunn, Cole, Jansen, Grabbi, Gillespie, Douglas, Kelly

Celtic (3-5-2)

Douglas

Valgaeren, Balde, Laursen

Agathe, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov, Thompson

Larsson, Sutton

Subs: Gould, Sylla, Hartson, Fernandez, Maloney, Guppy, Crainey