BOLTON Wanderers friendly with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers at the Reebok on Tuesday has been cancelled on the advice of local police.

The police chief who recommended the cancellation of the showpiece clash insists he had the safety of the people of Bolton in mind when he made his controversial decision.

The Scottish giants reacted with astonishment when the match was called off on police advice.

But Chief Superintendent Dave Lea, the head of Bolton Police, said information he had received meant he could not guarantee public safety.

Wanderers had issued Rangers with 5,000 tickets, almost half of which had already been sold before the cancellation was announced yesterday. But it was feared that as many as 10,000 Scottish fans would have travelled to the game, which would have presented police with a major public order headache.

The cancellation, which was announced yesterday, came after police had consulted the club and Bolton Council and received intelligence from other forces who had handled previous Rangers matches.

"It's down to public safety issues," Chief Supt Lea said. "We have had some detailed discussions with the club and, as a result of those discussions, it was quite clear to us we were not in a position to undertake a police operation which could guarantee public safety across the town."

He added: "It's specifically in relation to the information that we have in our possession.

"We have made a clear assessment of the issues that it will present to us here.

"It's my job to ensure the safety, not just of the people in the football ground, but of the 261,000 people who live and work in Bolton."

A Wanderers spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that on the advice of Greater Manchester Police, this game has been cancelled on the grounds of safety.

"We understand the disappointment felt by supporters of both clubs and Bolton Wanderers, along with Greater Manchester Police, would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

The match will still go ahead next Tuesday but has been switched to Glasgow, and will be played behind closed doors.

A spokesman for the Glasgow club said: "Rangers Football Club, despite having a contract in place and previous approval from Greater Manchester Police to play a pre-season friendly against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Tuesday 25 July, are astonished to learn that this match has been cancelled on the recommendation of the local match commander.

"The reason given to Rangers by Greater Manchester Police is that they are 'unable to provide the policing service to meet the needs of the event'.

"Rangers FC has exhausted the avenues of appeal open to it and have now no alternative but to accept the decision.

"The Club apologises to the 2,362 fans who have already purchased tickets in Glasgow and made arrangements to travel. The circumstances however, are totally out of our control. A full ticket refund, including booking fees, will be made to all fans."

Wanderers, who kick off their pre-season programme at Burnley on Saturday, are now left with just one home friendly, against AZ Alkmaar, runners-up in the Dutch league last season, on Saturday, August 12 (kick off 2pm).