Celtic fan fined for mocking Ibrox disaster during Old Firm match

A Celtic fan who mocked the Ibrox disaster during an Old Firm match has been fined £520.

Darren Malloch, 34, was caught on CCTV making gestures about the 1971 stadium crush, which left 66 supporters dead and more than 140 injured.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the project manager, who lost his job over the incident, attended the Scottish Premiership match on 4 May with a child.

Malloch, of Parkhouse, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner and was also banned from football matches for 14 months.

Prosecutor Sadia Bhatti said: "He was in possession of a mobile phone which he raised towards the Rangers support, displaying an image which appears to be the American Route 66 road sign."

Malloch went on to check that the device was still displaying the image.

Miss Bhatti added: "Malloch raised his one hand and displayed five open fingers and one finger on his other hand which was directed in a pushing motion directed to the Rangers fans which indicated the number 66.

"Malloch with both hands made a diving motion, in reference to falling, which was directed to the Rangers fans in reference to the Ibrox disaster in 1971."

The police were later contacted by the stadium security manager who handed over CCTV footage of the incident.

In a statement after the game, a Rangers spokesperson said: "It is deeply upsetting that once again, an incident like this has occurred.

"As the club has stated before, the Ibrox disaster remains the darkest day in our club's history and continues to affect a number of families to this day.

"The mocking and celebration of any tragedy is abhorrent, and has no place in any football stadium or society as a whole.

"The club urges the justice system to take the appropriate action over these matters."

Malloch, who was previously a project manager at Advance Construction Scotland, lost his job after the company received a string of complaints following the match, which finished 1-1.

Defence lawyer, Paul Kavanagh said his client's actions were "reactionary rather than instigatory" but added that there was "no justification."

The lawyer added: "It was a moment of madness - it was seconds in an otherwise unblemished life.

"He accepts his actions were abhorrent."

Sheriff Vincent Lunny stated that if it wasn't for Malloch's lack of record and it being a "one off" he would be looking at a greater punishment.

He added: "Your behaviour was described as abhorrent.

"To make fun of deaths like that in that environment in front of a child is not a trivial matter.

"It could have led to a much worse response from the other side of the divide."

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