An angry Rangers fan who left a Celtic physiotherapist scarred for life after throwing a bottle at him during an Old Firm match has been jailed for a year.
Alan Crawford, 33, of Grangemouth was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court over what a judge described as an act of “mindless violence”.
Daniel Friel needed four stitches after being hit on the head by the bottle at Ibrox on 3 April last year.
Crawford was also handed a five-year ban from attending football matches.
He admitted throwing the bottle towards Mr Friel, which struck his head “to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement”.
Sheriff Tony Kelly, pictured right, said it was an act of “reprehensible conduct”. He added: “You assaulted the complainer by throwing a bottle which struck him on the head. This was an attack on a person in the course of his employment. The throwing of the bottle was an act of mindless violence.”
CCTV was shown to the court which showed Mr Friel being hit by the bottle about 15 minutes after the match kicked off.
Defence agent Harvie Diamond said Crawford felt remorse for his actions and urged the sheriff to consider alternatives to custody.
Mr Diamond said: “He said to me that if he could take the injury away from the physiotherapist who was hit and impose the injury on himself, he would do that.
“In three seconds of his life he picked up a bottle, threw it and unfortunately hit the physiotherapist.”
Celtic went on to win the game 2-1.
Meanwhile, a Rangers coach is being investigated by police over an alleged headbutt on Celtic Women manager Fran Alonso.
Craig McPherson approached Alonso at the end of a dramatic Scottish Women’s Premier League clash, which was televised on Sky Sports.
The incident happened at the full-time whistle after Celtic equalised in the 99th minute.
Police Scotland confirmed it had received a report about the match at Broadwood Stadium on Monday.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Inquiries to establish any criminality are at an early stage.”
The Scottish Football Association’s compliance officer will also look at the incident after reading the match delegate’s report.
Speaking after the game, Alonso told Sky Sports: “Someone pushed me from behind. I never talked to him the whole game.
“I was called a little rat, but I don’t know why.”
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Don’t have a great reputation the Rangers fans.
Or is it just football fans in general.
Or is it the culture whereby certain fans like to sing about being up to their knees.
Whatever the reason, and by whoever, supporting whatever, this behaviour is just not acceptable. Jailing them is the answer.