Batten down hatches if Old Firm face up in Euro clash

After this week’s Europa League draw, there’s a hypothetical scenario that could see a call to reinstate the Home Guard.

At the very least we’d need to declare a national state of emergency.

Both of the Old Firm clubs have been handed more than just a hope of getting past the round of 32 – and towards a date with destiny.

Copenhagen can be negotiated by Celtic and there’s no reason why Rangers can’t beat Braga. But here’s the rub.

It’s not inconceivable that they would then face off against each other for a place in the quarter-finals of European football’s second biggest trophy.

UEFA rules dictate clubs from the same nation can’t face each other until the last 16 of the competition.

Let’s just say everything falls into place. It would mean three Old Firm games in the space of a week in the middle of March and, as momentous as it would be, it would be the cue for mayhem.

When Neil Lennon was asked about a possible European collision a few weeks ago he took a big breath and said: “Carnage.”

That’s one word for it. Imagine it, a ton of explosive material thrown into the mix.

An unprecedented Europa League Old Firm derby of pure dynamite.

It’s a barely imaginable scenario but there’s also an air of inevitability about it. For proof that familiarity breeds contempt in Scottish football we need only track back to 2011.

Three Old Firm games in the space of less than two weeks thanks to a Scottish Cup tie which went to a replay after a 2-2 draw at Ibrox.

That replay turned into a shame game with referee Calum Murray a busy man.

Three Rangers players saw red in their 1- 0 defeat – Steven Whittaker, El Hadji Diouf and Madjid Bougherra.

A whopping 13 yellows were dished out while 34 arrests were made inside the stadium for a variety of antisocial offences. And damning domestic abuse statistics suggested wives and partners would have been on high alert across the country.

It was the game where Ally McCoist and Lennon squared up at full-time – both were later found guilty of misconduct and given touchline bans. Hoops chief Peter

Lawwell defended his manager with words that still make the blood run cold.

He said: “He’s a man who is under enormous pressure as Celtic manager but other than that he’s got to put up with the l ive ammunition going through the post, the bomb threats, 24-hour surveillance. It’s quite a lot to take on.”

In total 229 supporters were detained as a result of that game, all the city’s police cells were filled to capacity.

The SFA were summoned to the house on the hill as parliament launched an enquiry at Holyrood.

When these sides last faced off at Parkhead last season there was more carnage.

Alfredo Morelos saw red for a kick at Scott Brown, who was later floored by a punch from Ryan Kent. That wasn’t the end of it though as there was a mass brawl between players at the end of Celtic’s 2-1 victory.

Old Firm games need breathing space, a period of time out to restore calm between two sets of fans, some of whom use the occasion to express their worse baggage and prejudices.

These Euro ties would be played out against a backdrop of a Premiership title race that is becoming a head-to-head of such intensity, it only serves to raise the temperature.

If all of that is not enough, here’s another caveat – these three Old Firm games would take place during Cheltenham week.

I’d wager a few bob that it will ratchet up the alcohol levels in fans as they battle against the bookies.

Apocalyptic predictions aside, it should be a brilliant spectacle. One of the most momentous weeks in the history of Scottish sport. But we would all have to batten down the hatches.

A word to the wise should be offered to UEFA – get the hot and cold balls at the ready if Copenhagen and Braga are taken care of.

If the Old Firm are to go head to head in the last 16 of the Europa League then you can bet there’s a storm a comin’.