Rangers offer victim Hugo trip to Ibrox

Hugo Clapshaw was given the offer after he suffered the vicious attack by a man wearing a Rangers top in Inverleith Park.

The club also insisted that if the police come up with a name for the attacker the club will take steps to ban him from their ground.

The news comes as a businessman offered a 1000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the attacker.

Charles Pottinger, a former Royal Marine who now runs cleaning firm Military Shine, said he had been left "infuriated" by the attack on Hugo.

The youngster's Ibrox visit will involve free tickets to a Scottish Premierleague game at the beginning of next season and a chance to meet some of the stars of the club before the kick-off.

It will be the first time that Hugo and his father Damon, originally from New Zealand, have attended a football match.

Mr Clapshaw, who lives in the New Town, says that his son has only become a big football fan since the World Cup started a fortnight ago, but said he would be thrilled with the offer.

The city finance worker said: "It's a fantastic and very kind offer from Rangers and Hugo would be delighted to go.

"We've never been to a football game before so that will be a great day and he'll be really excited about it."

A spokesman for Rangers said: "Rangers Football Club is bitterly disappointed to learn of this attack. If the police or courts subsequently identify the individual involved, the club would look to take the strongest action possible.

"We would be delighted to invite Hugo to a game when the fixtures for next season are announced and give him the chance to meet the players too."

Hugo had been enjoying a kickabout in Inverleith Park last Saturday afternoon when a Rangers fan punched him and growled "This is Scotland, not f****** England".

His father then ran after the man, thought to be aged 25 to 30, before being punched to the ground and kicked. When the man reached into his pocket Mr Clapshaw even feared he would be stabbed.

The vicious attack provoked a public outcry and was described by Scots politicians as bringing shame on the Capital and Scotland.

It later emerged that in another incident, a disabled man was dragged from his car in Aberdeen and given a black eye for wearing an England top and flying and England flag.

Prime Minister Tony Blair condemned the attacks.

Mr Clapshaw said that, despite the violent attack, Hugo has continued to wear his England top, which was only bought for him just over a week ago, and he has not got a negative impression of Scottish people.

He said: "It's good that something good has come out of this. People have been almost apologising on behalf of Scotland but there really is no need. We don't feel bad about Scotland at all - it was so obviously the act of one very deranged individual.

"The only other good news we need now is for the police to get the guy, I suppose."

Mr Pottinger is hoping his 1000 reward will help catch the thug as soon as possible.

He said: "It was so mindless. He did not have to do something like that. We all have a bit of banter with fellow football fans but to take it to the next level, to actually hit somebody - especially a child - just infuriates me.

"This guy, the way I think his mind will work, I think he has probably bragged about it to a few people and I would plead to these people to shop him. I just think this guy is scum, to tell you the truth."