Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United prepare for Rangers but what about previous Battle of Britain clashes?
When Manchester United and Rangers meet at Old Trafford for their opening Champions League games, both sides will have the duty to live up to previous Anglo-Scottish classics.[LNB]Recent clashes between English and Scottish sides in Europe have been heavily one sided in favour of the sides south of the border, but will Rangers be able to stop the trend against United?[LNB]There is plenty of history between the club sides of both countries and with this in mind Sportsmail looks back on five previous 'Battles of Britain'.[LNB] Tough battle: Roy Keane clashes with Shota Arveladze during Manchester United's clash with Rangers in 2003[LNB]Rangers v Newcastle - Inter-Cities Fairs Cup 1968-69Records will say that Newcastle won this semi-final 2-0 on aggregate but the encounter between the two sides proved to be a battle both on and off the pitch.[LNB]The first leg at Ibrox was a 0-0 draw in which Newcastle, in their first year of European competition, parked the bus in front of their goal in a text book defensive display.[LNB]At St James' Park, Newcastle won 2-0, but the game was marred by 10,000 ticketless Rangers fans forcing their way in to the ground and causing the game to be abandoned for 17 minutes, after invading the pitch following Newcastle's opener.[LNB]Leeds v Celtic - European Cup 1969-70Two years after knocking out Hibernian, Rangers and Dundee on their way to winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, Leeds United again faced Scottish opposition in Europe on their biggest stage yet in the European Cup semi-final.[LNB]Celtic gained an advantage by winning the first leg at Elland Road 1-0 thanks to George Connelly's opening minute strike, but it looked game on when Billy Bremner levelled the tie at Celtic Park in front of 130,000 people.[LNB]However, goals from John Hughes and Bobby Murdoch secured victory for Celtic, who went on to lose the final against Feyenoord 2-1 after extra-time.[LNB]Manchester United v Dundee United - UEFA Cup 1984-85United boss: Ron Atkinson[LNB]The Scottish side stunned the Red Devils when goals from Paul Hegarty and Paul Sturrock cancelled out strikes from Gordon Strachan and Bryan Robson to grab a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.[LNB]The eagerly anticipated second leg at Tannadice followed a similar pattern.[LNB]United went in front early on with a goal from Mark Hughes, but Davie Dodds equalised for the hosts.[LNB]An own goal from Gary McGinnis restored the lead, but Hegarty equalised again as Dundee United refused to lie down.[LNB]Arnold Muhren scored late on however to spare Ron Atkinson's blushes and see Manchester United advance 5-4 on aggregate. They were soon knocked out though, by Videoton on penalties.[LNB]Leeds United v Rangers - Champions League 1992-93In the first season of the Champions League, Leeds United faced Rangers in the second round to see who would advance to the tournament's group stage.[LNB]Despite scoring in the opening minute through Gary McAllister, Leedslost the first leg at Ibrox.[LNB] Delight: Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram celebrates first leg victory for Leeds[LNB]An own goal from John Lukic and anAlly McCoist effort gave the Scottish side the advantage going back toElland Road.[LNB]The second leg saw The Gers run away with the tieafter goals from Mark Hateley and Ally McCoist gave Rangers breathingspace before a late consolation from Eric Cantona saw the Scots gothrough 4-2 on aggregate.[LNB]Celtic v Liverpool - UEFA Cup 2002-03Having already defeated Blackburn home and away earlier in the competition, Celtic were looking for an English double when they met Liverpool in the quarter-final.[LNB]Emile Heskey equalised Henrik Larsson's early strike as the first leg finished 1-1 at Parkhead, but El Hadji Diouf overshadowed the game after being involved in a controversial spitting incident.[LNB] Super strike: John Hartson scores at Anfield[LNB]Liverpool were clear favourites for the return leg at Anfield, but two stunning strikes from Alan Thompson and John Hartson both struck with stunning strikes.[LNB]Celtic advanced 3-1 on aggregate to the delight of their travelling supporters.[LNB]The Bhoys reached the final, but dramatically lost 3-2 after extra-time to Jose Mourinho's Porto in Seville.[LNB] Pure delight: Hartson celebrates at Anfield[LNB] David Weir calls on Rangers fans to give Manchester United star Wayne Rooney an easy ride Wayne Rooney raring to go as Manchester United striker trains ahead of crunch tie with RangersLet me play! Axed Rooney begs Fergie to return to action against RangersA Rangers win against Manchester United? Don't bet on it! Champions League clash looks step too far for Walter Smith and co[LNB] [LNB]
