Former youth football coach attacked Celtic staff member after Old Firm pitch invasion

A Rangers fan who invaded the pitch at Ibrox after an Old Firm game and attacked a Celtic staff member has been taken into custody ahead of sentencing.

Marc Spence, 48, grabbed the first team masseur and pulled him to the ground on March 8.

Rangers hosted Celtic that day in a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie, which the visitors won on penalties.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how a large number of fans from both sides entered the field of play after the match.

Former youth football coach Spence, of Lanark, South Lanarkshire, was seen by police officers invading the pitch from the south stand.

Prosecutor Abbas Ali said: “Spence was running in an aggressive manner towards Celtic fans who had entered the pitch.

“The Celtic member of staff saw Spence running on the pitch.

“He was concerned that Spence was running in the direction of the Celtic team and staff so he stood in his path.

“Spence collided with [the man], who then grabbed him on the neck and pulled him to the ground.”

Two police officers intervened and grabbed hold of Spence before they removed him from the pitch.

While he was being escorted in handcuffs, Spence said: “I was trying to get past the guy – he stood in my way and I just took him out.”

CCTV of the incident was shown to the court, in which Spence was surrounded by Celtic players as well as the officers who arrested him in the aftermath.

First offender Spence pleaded guilty to assaulting the victim as well as committing breach of the peace.

Michael Stewart, defending, told the court: “He is in full time employment with Bacardi as a warehouse operative.

“He is also a first offender with no matters outstanding.”

The sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan.

The sheriff told him: “This is a case where the custodial threshold has been met and you will be remanded into custody.”