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CELTIC'S away support have been warned off sporting their club colours in Belfast city centre tonight.

As the Scottish champions ready themselves for their Champions League clash against Cliftonville, travelling fans have been urged not to display the Hoops by Cliftonville officials.

The advice follows five nights of unrest in parts of the city after an Orange Order march was banned from parading on a stretch of road that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

The director of the semi-professional side, David Begley, said: "Belfast city centre is a very welcoming place.

"But people are very sensitive about colours, not just this week. As a result, it's probably best to avoid wearing colours into the city centre.

"This has nothing to do with politics, it's the same sort of advice Manchester United fans would be given about walking about Liverpool on a match day."

Hundreds of Celtic fans are expected to head for Belfast for the qualifying match at Cliftonville's Solitude grounds.

Parkhead gaffer Neil Lennon has expressed his belief that the SPL conquerors should be exempt from this stage of the European contest.