Celtic have sent supporters heading to Lisbon for Thursday night’s Europa League meeting with Benfica a warning ahead of the match.

Martin O’Neill takes his side to the Estádio da Luz, and fans making the trip have been given strict instructions on conduct, behaviour and how to get to the stadium.

The club has published the guidance following advice from Benfica and the local police, with several arrangements that travelling supporters will need to know about before matchday.

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Celtic tell fans to be at Benfica stadium two hours before kick-off

Celtic’s official matchday instructions tell away supporters to be at the Estádio da Luz by 6pm, a full two hours before the game starts.

Benfica will search fans before they reach the turnstiles, so queues are likely to build outside the ground. Families with children have been specifically warned to arrive early to allow enough time to clear the checks.

Travelling fans must enter through Gate 23V, situated beside the television compound.

Security staff will carry out comprehensive body searches and inspect all bags and banners. Face coverings are prohibited.

Celtic confirm strict Benfica ticket rules and stadium restrictions

The away section is located in Blocks 32 to 34 in the upper tiers of the Estádio da Luz.

Reaching those seats involves climbing several flights of stairs, and Celtic have confirmed there are no public lifts to the standard upper away sections.

Fans must sit in the exact seat printed on their ticket. Celtic supporters holding tickets for Benfica’s home sections face being refused entry or ejected without a refund.

The stadium is completely cashless, with only debit and credit cards accepted at catering kiosks.

Alcohol will not be sold in the away concourses, while smoking is banned throughout the stadium. There are no designated smoking areas once supporters have passed through the turnstiles.

Celtic have also confirmed that fans do not need to carry their physical passports into the stadium, although valid photographic identification should be kept with them.

The club have already announced extended opening hours at the Estádio Nacional, allowing travelling supporters to visit the scene of Celtic’s historic 1967 European Cup triumph during their time in Lisbon.