Internet troll threatens to ‘stab’ Anthony Stokes

POLICE have launched a probe after Celtic striker Anthony Stokes was sent a threatening tweet just hours after the Hoops were drawn to face Rangers in the League Cup semi finals.

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes received the threat just hours after the Old Firm cup draw. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The Republic of Ireland forward was sent a tweet in which a user threatened to ‘stab him’ and then ‘blow up’ his ‘IRA loving da’.

Stokes, 26, forward the tweet onto Police Scotland, who confirmed an investigation had been launched, adding: “The post has been passed on to the relevant department to progress it as appropriate.”

The Twitter user later contacted Stokes to apologise, prompting the footballer to tweet: “The boy got in touch and apologised so that’s it done! We all make stupid mistakes we regret.”

Anti-sectarian campaigners Nil By Mouth Director Dave Scott said: “People think they can hide behind their keyboards but the law is against them. It takes 30 seconds to post a sectarian message but you could be getting five years for it.”

A spokesperson for Celtic said: “Such attacks are totally unacceptable and we are sure these will be dealt with appropriately by the relevant authorities.”