Rangers fan avoids jail after calling for Neil Lennon to be bombed

Allan McCormack, 25, used Facebook to post “Bomb Neil Lennon, bomb him now” after the Celtic manager’s bust-up with Rangers’ Ally McCoist on the touchline during an Old Firm clash.

McCormack, of Glasgow, admitted responsibility for the message on April 30, 2011 after being confronted by police. He pled guilty at Glasgow Sherrif Court to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.

He was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work, on a six-month community payback order, and given a two-year football banning order.

Sheriff Charles McFarlane QC told McCormack: “The message you posted on the Facebook social networking site which the public had access to was highly inflammatory and totally unacceptable.”

The court heard that Strathclyde Police violence reduction co-ordination unit were involved in an inquiry into online hate messages directed at Mr Lennon.

Procurator fiscal depute, Angus Crawford, prosecuting said: “Whilst monitoring social networking sites particularly Facebook, the phrase ‘Bomb Neil Lennon, bomb him now’ was discovered.”

Police were able to establish McCormack as a suspect and in August last year, telephoned him.

Mr Crawford added: “He further went on to state to police that the posting was in response to a Rangers versus Celtic Scottish Cup game at Celtic park.

“He stated that he didn’t like the way Neil Lennon the Celtic manager had conducted himself that day and that he doesn’t like Neil Lennon generally.”

The court heard McCormack told police he had been drunk when posting the message at 2am, the day after his birthday although accepted it was not an excuse.

The court was told McCormack is an “avid Rangers supporter” and often attends games.

It was said on his behalf that he “unreservedly apologises for his behaviour”.