Fans gather for Scotland-England World Cup qualifier amid heightened security

Football fans have started to gather in Glasgow ahead of the Scotland v England World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Police Scotland said extra security measures are in place ahead of the match at Hampden Park.

An increased police presence is expected at the game to support the large numbers of fans and armed police will also be on duty.

Outer cordons will be in place around the stadium to ensure only ticket holders are in the area. Bag and body searches will also be in place for those attending the game.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has spoken with counterparts at the FA and Police Scotland and gates at the ground are expected to be open at 3pm to allow fans entry before the 5pm kick-off.

A request has also been made to Uefa for a minute's silence to be held before the start of the match in memory of the victims of the Manchester and London Bridge attacks.

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins of Police Scotland said: ''Understandably, since the tragic events in London and Manchester, people are more aware of the current threat to the UK from terrorism.

There is no intelligence to suggest that Scotland or indeed this football match or any other event is a target but we have reviewed all forthcoming events to ensure our policing plans are robust.''

Free buses are being laid on for fans from Glasgow city centre to the stadium before and after the match.

Fans will be kept segregated on public transport with Scotland fans asked to use trains to Mount Florida station before and after the game. England supporters, meanwhile, will be asked to use King's Park station.

The SFA say supporters should expect to be searched at the outer cordons around the ground. Additional bag searches will also be carried out at the turnstiles.

A spokesman said: ''Fans are reminded that the match is sold out and are therefore encouraged to arrive early to ensure that they are in their seats for kick-off.''

ScotRail Alliance say extra carriages will be added to its services between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High and on key services between Glasgow and Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, East Kilbride, Alloa and Stirling.

Queuing systems will be introduced and fans are advised to leave plenty of extra time for their journey.

Alcohol bans will be in place on many routes and consumption or open carrying of alcohol is not permitted on any ScotRail service before 10am or after 9pm.

A ScotRail Alliance spokesman said: ''Trains around central Scotland are going to be very busy all day. If you are not going to the game, you may wish to travel earlier in the day, or while the match is on.

We want everyone to have a great, but more importantly safe, time at the match. To ensure everything goes smoothly, please follow instructions from staff and buy your tickets direct to Mount Florida or King's Park in advance - not on the day.

The last trains of the night will be extremely busy, so please plan to catch any earlier service.''