Fergie dismisses Old Firm's ambitions

Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced Rangers and Celtic will never get the chance to test themselves in the Premiership.

Three years after completing a Champions League double over Rangers, Manchester United boss Ferguson gets the chance to repeat the feat against the other half of Scotland's Old Firm at Celtic Park on Tuesday night.

'Battle of Britain' encounters of this magnitude inevitably see thoughts move to the possibility of Scotland's biggest two clubs testing their abilities down south. But Ferguson said: "The situation is not as simple as that, and in any case the situation is all hypothetical because I do not think it will ever happen. It is too difficult a move."

With the Premiership's lesser lights unwilling to vote for a proposition which could cost them a place in the league, and the bigger fish anxious not to concede any of their power, the path to England is locked and bolted for the Glasgow giants, meaning European confrontations such as Tuesday evening's represent the only true measure of the respective standards.

United will start hefty favourites to gain the victory which would seal qualification and top spot in Group E with a game to spare.

However, Ferguson is wary of the threat Celtic pose, particularly in front of the home side's supporters.

"Celtic Park is without question one of the best atmospheres anyone could experience and their players can be inspired by it," he added.

"If the game is going Celtic's way, you have your work cut out to stem the tide of emotion and enthusiasm that can be generated by that support.

"Celtic's record at home is one of the best in Europe, so we accept we are in for a tough game."