RANGERS' Europa League match with Legia Warsaw was stopped over flares lit by visiting fans as Celtic fans clashed with police in Stockholm.

The development came 75 minutes into the match at Ibrox and after Polish fans unfurled a banner of Pope John Paul II which some fans called 'provocative'.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic called a halt to proceedings after 75 minutes and led the players from the pitch because of the smoke from the flares.

READ MORE: Celtic probe trouble in Stockholm

After smoke was cleared the players returned with Rangers after a matter of minutes and went on to beat their opponents 1-0 to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.

Rangers had earlier made in-ground appeals to fans to report inappropriate behaviour after being punished by the European football governing body for sectarian chants. 

The developments in Govan came as Celtic fans were involved in an ugly battle with Swedish police during their Europa League play off with AIK in Stockholm.

Officers wielded batons as punches were thrown during the stadium confrontation. Four people were arrested after Swedish fans clashed with police at Celtic Park in the first leg.

Rangers sent a message to fans in Ibrox on screens appealing to fans to "refrain from embarrassing the club" in the wake of the sanctions by Uefa and saying that "there is no place in Ibrox stadium for discriminatory behaviour".

Rangers had been ordered to close a section of Ibrox for the Europa League clash with Legia Warsaw after Uefa ruled some of their fans were guilty of “racist behaviour” – specifically, sectarian chants.

The Herald:

At least 3,000 seats were empty for the Europa League play-off second leg after the decision by Uefa’s control and disciplinary body.

The charge prompted Rangers to announce that they will refuse tickets for their next European away game.

A Uefa Respect initiative banner stating "Equal Game" was unfurled on some of the seats one of the other sanctions imposed by the governing body.

The offending chants came during Rangers’ 6-0 home victory against St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in the first qualifying round on 18 July.

As the club appealed for order in the ground, Legia Warsaw fans unfurled a banner of the late Polish Pope, with the words: "Be Not Afraid."

Some fans took to social media describing the actions as "trolling".

READ MORE: Club 1872 back Rangers calls for end to sectarian chants after UEFA 

John Paul II, who died in 2005, was Polish and held the papal office from 1978.

In a statement to fans at Ibrox, the club urged fans to "understand that they are damaging" he club.

It read: "Rangers football club recently launched its ground-breaking diversity and inclusion campaign 'everyone anyone' and wishes to remind every supporter that there is no place in Ibrox stadium for discriminatory behaviour.

The Herald:

"It is vital we represent Rangers in a positive manner and refrain from embarrassing our club.

"The everyone anyone campaign aims to demonstrate Rangers is a modern football club open to all.

"Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

"If you witness any inappropriate behaviour and wish to contact the club in confidence you can e-mail: everyoneanyone@rangers.co.uk any time."

Meanwhile in Stockholm, the clashes with police came after Celtic fans set off a number of flares in the away end before kick off.

Several fans are said to have suffered minor injuries and the unsavoury scenes look certain to be reported back to Uefa.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon who had seen his side qualify for the group stages of the Europa League with a victory said: "I don't know what the issue is but our fans have been impeccable and I hope nobody is hurt."