Three men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a violent assault that left a 48-year-old Celtic supporter with bleeding on the brain following the Scottish Cup quarter-final. The “ferocious” attack occurred outside Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on March 8, moments after Celtic secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Rangers. The incident highlights the persistent security challenges surrounding the Old Firm rivalry, where tensions frequently spill over from the pitch into the streets surrounding the venue.
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Scott Dragsness, 55, and Ben Stanex, 24, both from Belfast, along with Andrew Graham, 21, from Dundonald, all from Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to carrying out the assault. According to the Crown Office, the trio targeted the victim as he attempted to board a Celtic supporters’ bus, knocking him to the ground in a coordinated strike. The severity of the injuries sustained by the fan underscores the extreme danger posed by such unprovoked violence, resulting in serious neurological damage that required immediate medical intervention.
The sentencing marks a significant legal outcome in the ongoing efforts to curb football-related disorder in Scotland. By securing convictions from offenders based in Northern Ireland, authorities have demonstrated a cross-border commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. This case serves as a stark reminder to fans and security services alike that the Old Firm derby remains one of the most volatile fixtures in world football, necessitating heightened vigilance and robust policing strategies to ensure the safety of all supporters.
Source: The Independent Sport
