'Football-mad' brothers are buried side by side

TWO football-mad brothers who died just months apart have been buried together – with their Rangers and Celtic gravestones standing proudly side by side.

Celtic-daft Colin Stewart, 19, and 23-year-old Rangers fan John were life-long supporters of the opposing Old Firm teams – but never let the rivalry come between them.

Colin tragically drowned in a river, and then five months later his grieving family was dealt a double blow when John died of a cardiac aneurysm.

Their devastated parents, Sam and Violet are proud the brothers, and "best of friends", are now buried together – still displaying their staunch support for their beloved teams.

It is the first time such an Old Firm memorial has been seen in Scotland.

Celtic-mad Colin – a promising Highland junior league footballer – was on his way home when he suddenly disappeared on 20 December, 2008.

As the family was still coming to terms with this tragedy, John collapsed from a cardiac aneurysm on 5 May, 2009, and died in the arms of his older brother, Angus, 30.

Father Sam, 65, said: "To lose one son is devastating, to lose two is indescribable.

"They were not just brothers, but best of friends. They were massive football supporters and both loved their teams with a passion."