Madrid deploys 'shock' Celtic fans’ plan as chiefs to flood city with 1,300 'troops' and activate security device

The city of Madrid has put plans in place to deal with potential incidents in the Spanish capital amid Celtic's clash with Atletico tonight.

Brendan Rodgers side take on La Liga heavyweights in the Champions League this evening and know they could do with a win to aid their post-Christmas European football hopes. They won't be backed by the Green Brigade inside the Metropolitano Stadium as Parkhead chiefs have locked them out of home and away games, but Estadio Deportivo claim a large operation is in place to deal with the estimated 5000 travelling fans, 1000 of which are without tickets.

They claim a "shock plan" has been drawn up to guarantee supporter safety. It's stated: "The Government Delegation has confirmed that it will activate a security device with nearly 1,300 troops for the game." It will be made up of National Police and the Municipal Police of Madrid, members of the SAMUR-Civil Protection, Firefighters, the Red Cross and security guards from the Madrid football club.

Fans going to the game have been advised to get to the stadium early with rigorous safety checks in place. The game has been declared a "high risk" fixture but the city stands ready to deal with any potential incidents in the streets.

Their plan primarily is centred around areas in the immediate vicinity of the stadium that could become grounds for unsavoury incidents. On the pitch, Rodgers and Co will take confidence from their 2-2 draw with Diego Simeone's side last time out.

Kyogo and Luis Palma struck to give them their first point in the group. But prior losses to Feyenoord and Lazio leave them with an uphill battle to get off bottom.