CELTIC fans have been given the sternest warning yet regarding tickets for next week's Champions League meeting with AC Milan.

The home section of the San Siro will be strictly out of bounds for the Parkhead support, who have been told by both clubs and Scottish and Italian police not to attempt to get into the ground unless their ticket is for the away area.

As always, independent travel agencies are selling packages outwith the club and their match ticket is for the AC Milan section. Their argument is that they have never had any trouble in the past and don't anticipate problems next week.

However, with photo identity required to get into the ground amid tighter security restrictions in Italian football, Celtic have urged supporters not to attempt entry into the stadium unless it is into the correct stand as AC Milan will be vigilant about such activity.

Milan officials and Strathclyde Police insist the crackdown on stadium security in Italy means those who missed out on the club's allocation of 4500 tickets for a designated away section will be refused entry.

AC Milan organising director Umberto Gandini said: "It is absolutely crucial that Celtic fans only obtain tickets for the areas of the stadium allocated to visiting support and do not attempt to enter parts of the San Siro occupied by home fans.

"Celtic supporters will be refused entry to areas of the stadium which have been designated for the home support.

"The Milan police have made it clear that spectators will be asked to produce photo identity to gain entry to the stadium.

"This will be in place and is intended to ensure that the agreed segregation of fans is strictly followed.

"We look forward to welcoming Celtic fans in Milan but would ask all supporters to adhere to the advice given in the interests of safety."

Kenny Scott, Chief Superintendent of Strathclyde Police, said: "Following on from a meeting involving AC Milan, Celtic Football Club and Strathclyde Police in Italy last week it is clear that the intention of the Italian authorities is to carry out identity checks on all supporters attempting to enter the stadium.

"A two-tier security check at the perimeter of the stadium will facilitate this. It is a condition of entry to Italian stadia that evidence of identity must be produced on request.

"The advice of Strathclyde Police to persons intending to travel to the match with tickets for other sections of the San Siro stadium than the official Celtic area is that they should not attempt to attend the match."