Celtic fan faces trial over flare incident

A 19-YEAR-OLD Celtic fan is to stand trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in June after pleading not guilty to throwing a flare or smoke canister into the crowd at an SPL match between Hearts and Celtic in November last year.

Callum Connelly, from Coatbridge, is alleged to have been in possession of a flare or smoke canister at Tynecasle Stadium in Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, on 28 November last year and to have committed a breach of the peace by throwing the item so that smoke blew into spectators, causing fear and alarm.

Connelly appeared before Sheriff Paul Arthurson yesterday and pled not guilty to both charges. Fiscal Depute Arlene Shaw said she understood Connelly was a Celtic fan and asked that he be banned from attending any regulated football match and from entering Tynecastle Stadium. Those bail conditions were agreed.