Ferguson hopeful of peaceful British tie in Champions League

Supporters and riot police fought running battles in the streets around the 2008 UEFA Cup final, when over 100,000 Rangers fans headed south without tickets.

Forty-two fans were arrested on the night and scores were injured. The mood was not helped by the failure of a big screen that was due to show Rangers' match with Zenit St Petersburg - which they eventually lost - leaving supporters staring at a blank screen in one of the busiest parts of the city.

Thursday's Champions League draw sends Rangers back to Manchester for the first time since that ill-fated night, with the clash opening the two sides' respective campaigns next month.

For Ferguson - a former Rangers player - it is an occasion to relish, and not one he expects to be spoiled by rowdy fans.

"It is like every club. Rangers have fantastic supporters but they have some bad elements," he said.

"The unfortunate incidents that day maybe could have been avoided.

"Too many travelled without tickets. It won't happen again because we will be giving Rangers their proper allocation and they will control where the tickets are going.

"I don't expect Rangers fans to travel without a ticket."

Under competition regulations Rangers will be given an allocation of around 4,000.

Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers have been drawn together in Group C with Spanish giants Valencia and Turkish champions Bursaspor.