A 48-year-old Celtic supporter was left with a bleed on the brain after a post-derby assault outside Ibrox on 8 March. The attack came after Celtic won the Scottish Cup tie 4-2 on penalties, and three men have now been punished for what happened outside the stadium.

The assault outside Ibrox

The victim was taken to nearby Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where scans revealed the bleed on the brain. Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said, "As part of the attack the complainer was punched and fell to the ground." He added that while the man was down, "the attack continued and he was repeatedly kicked on the head and body and he was stamped upon."

McIntyre said the violence was so severe that the victim lost consciousness and was seriously injured. He also said it was "an inherently dangerous act" that posed an obvious danger to the complainer’s life.

The court heard religious abuse was shouted during the attack. Fraser Gibson, the procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said football-related violence "is a blight on Scotland’s communities" and added that it "will not be tolerated."

The sentences handed down

Dragsness was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, while Stanex and Graham each received 12 months. All three were also given seven-year football banning orders. Gibson said the victim had been subjected to "mindless sectarian thuggery" by the three accused.

A separate Old Firm story has also resurfaced around the same rivalry. Keith Harris said a private meeting at David Murray's house in Perthshire produced broad agreement for Celtic and Rangers to enter the Championship, with £40m on the table and some of the extra revenue going back into Scotland.

He said the plan was derailed after a journalist indicated the story was going to be published. Harris's account is striking, but it remains his version of events rather than a confirmed deal. The criminal case, by contrast, is settled, with jail terms and seven-year bans now in place.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →