Fans strip off in the sweltering weather

It was estimated that up to 50,000 fans descended on the Spanish city for the clash with Porto, which the Glasgow club lost 3-2 in extra time.

Uefa said that Celtic had brought the largest travelling support ever to have assembled for a single game.

Tens of thousands of fans brought the centre of the Spanish city to a standstill in the build-up to the match.

Many supporters of both sides made last-ditch attempts to secure tickets for the game at the 52,000-seater Stadio Olympico on Wednesday.

Selling tickets

Several Celtic fans managed to pick up tickets but had to pay considerably more than the face value.

Some followers of the Glasgow side said they had been offered tickets from Porto fans for about 400 euros.

One fan, Davy Finnigan, 42, said: "The Porto fans have come down here and are selling their tickets to the Celtic fans.

Fun in the Spanish sun

"We're in the Porto end but I don't think we'll be the only Celtic fans there."

Uefa and the Spanish police had warned fans that tickets up for sale at such a late stage could well be fakes.

Many of those unable to secure a ticket watched the game on a huge screen erected a mile from the stadium.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Airport was the scene of an exodus of thousands of fans heading for the Spanish city.

Many were travelling on day trips and will return to Scotland in the early hours of Thursday.

Win for Scotland tonight, and do us proud First Minister Jack McConnell

The first charter flights to Spain took off long before dawn on Wednesday.

Some 33 charter planes took off before noon with more than 9,000 Celtic fans on board. Two thousand more travelled on scheduled flights.

At Prestwick Airport, nine charter flights left before 0900 BST carrying a further 3,500 fans.

As the build-up to the match continued, the Celtic team received warm support from Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell.

Addressing the Scottish Parliament, he urged parliamentarians to rally behind the team.

Baird's Bar was hosting a beach party

He said: "I hope that today in this parliament we can put old divisions behind us - and that we can all join together in wishing Celtic well in Seville tonight.

"We all have one message for Martin O'Neill and the Bhoys - 'Win for Scotland tonight, and do us proud'."

Fans not making the trip to Spain were savouring the occasion in Glasgow.

Extra police officers were drafted in to cope with the thousands of supporters crowding into pubs and clubs on Wednesday night.

They include Baird's Bar, which held a beach party to mark the occasion.