John O'Kane [who claims to be a former Celtic hooligan] in the Scotsman:
Trips to English clubs were excursions that often involved violence in my time with the firm. Some of our members were responsible for a pitch invasion at Middlesbrough, while I spent a week in prison after a pre-season friendly against Birmingham City in 1995. There have also been battles with supporters from Queens Park Rangers and Blackburn Rovers.
But the Greater Manchester Police will vouch for the fact that relations between Celtic and United have always been cordial.The two teams have vast followings in Ireland with many fans there following both Celtic and United. In Paddy Crerand, Lou Macari and Brian McClair, there have been players who have left Parkhead to achieve legendary status at Old Trafford.
The host of testimonials between the teams, allied to the absence of any competitive meetings, has resulted in occasions between the pair being notable for being played in carnival atmospheres.
United's Red Army is one of the most powerful and feared hooligan groups in British football. But although the Celtic Soccer Crew have taken a sizeable firm to Old Trafford on a number of occasions, no rucks have ever ensued. I think events the night of Bryan Robson's testimonial in November 1990 were crucial to a respect developing between the two supports. And it was us within the Celtic Soccer Crew that were responsible for a notable bonding moment.
We had managed to grab hold of a match ball that had been kicked into the crowd during the game. After full-time we ran towards the famous Stretford End, booting the ball between one another. As we drifted up the pitch, a large number of United supporters charged on to the pitch towards us.
They hadn't staged an invasion to pick a fight, however. The hordes of United fans simply wanted to show their appreciation for the fantastic support Celtic fans had given their captain that evening. They ran the full length of the pitch, stopping in front of the goal that housed the majority of the Celtic fans, while applauding and shouting "Celtic, Celtic". I think this gesture was significant in fostering the positive relationship between the clubs and their supporters.
I have to laugh when this week's Champions League game is described as the "Battle of Britain". That description was trotted out when Rangers met United in the group stages of the Champions League three years ago but then it was accurate.
On the night that United played at Ibrox, the well-organised United thugs, numbering well over 300, swaggered unhindered along the Paisley Road, generally considered a no-go area for visiting fans. Rangers' Inter-City Firm, were reportedly gathered in a well-known pub in the Cessnock area, probably relieved police had ordered the pub landlords to pull their shutters down as the Red Army walked past.
The actions of Strathclyde Police that day most certainly prevented large-scale public disorder, although there were reports of sporadic violence after the match. There is no parallel with Celtic.
Although I am no longer involved in the Celtic Soccer Crew, none of their members are travelling to Manchester this week. No threat should then be placed on a genuinely special, and lasting, relationship.