SPECIALIST COPS ON LAZIO ALERT

SPECIALIST anti-mafia cops are “flying to Scotland in a bid to prevent notorious Lazio fans from causing trouble” ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League Group E game against Celtic at Parkhead, according to a media report.

The squad of elite Special Operations officers will monitor around 300 of of the Italian side’s ultras throughout the evening in Glasgow.

The decision to call in the specialist unit follows UEFA’s order to shut sections of Lazio’s Stadio Olimpico for the November 7 return game due to their supporters’ fascist gestures and racist chants during a group game against Rennes.

Scottish police will escort the Lazio fans to Celtic Park with 1,500 expected to make the journey for the match.

The Serie A club’s officials pleaded with their supporters to behave and warned there will be a zero-tolerance approach to any racist abuse directed at Neil Lennon’s players.

Lazio identified and banned 20 supporters for racial abuse during their 2-1 Europa League victory over Rennes earlier this month.

Celtic top the section on four points – one ahead of tomorrow’s visitors.

Around 10,000 Hoops supporters are expected in Rome for the meeting next month.