Ten England fans were detained overnight in the run-up to the Scotland-England match in Glasgow on November 13, police said.

They were held after separate incidents involving alleged disorderly behaviour and breaches of the peace in various locations in Strathclyde including central Glasgow and Dumbarton, according to local reports.

But police said the night passed generally peacefully in the region.

As the night began, police had said violence levels were, if anything, lower than on a normal weekend night - a possible reflection of the high level of policing.

A massive police operation was under way as Scotland and England prepared to settle old scores in one of the world's most emotionally charged football fixtures.

The high-profile policing operation in and around Hampden stadium in Glasgow was taking place with both sides aware that the eyes of the footballing world would be watching for any fan misbehaviour.

The world's oldest regular international fixture was last held at Hampden in 1989 when England won 2-0. They last met in the Euro 96 competition at Wembley, when England again won 2-0.

Violence by fans, either at today's Euro 2000 qualifier or the return leg at Wembley on Wednesday, would be a serious setback to England's hopes of hosting the World Cup in 2006.

Hundreds of police are being deployed in the area around Scotland's soccer shrine, and a big intelligence operation to prevent hooligans causing trouble has been under way since the day the match was announced.

A total of 111 soccer thugs had been served with court orders forcing them to report to their local police station just before the game while others are under surveillance. Some 6,500 English fans have tickets for the Glasgow match. (Xinhua)