Police probe offensive tweet aimed at Jay Beatty

Jay Beatty scores at Celtic Park. Picture: SNS

The 11 year-old was presented his award for winning January’s SPFL Goal of the Month at half-time during Celtic’s match against Aberdeen on Sunday.

The Lurgan youngster was also presented with a special Golden Boot during the half-time break by one of his Celtic heroes, Charlie Mulgrew.

He enjoyed the adulation of both Aberdeen and Celtic supporters as he recreated the goal which won him the SPFL Goal of the Month award.

Jay Beatty is presented his SPFL Goal of the Month award by Charlie Mulgrew. Picture: SNS

Jay celebrated by copying Celtic manager Ronny Deila’s trademark roar to the Parkhead support.

However following Celtic’s 4 - 0 victory, Twitter user @RossGibson1903 tweeted “Disabled piece of s***” alongside a picture of the youngster.

The Twitter account has now been closed.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “We have received a complaint about an offensive comment being made online following the Scottish Premiership league match between Celtic Football Club and Aberdeen Football Club. Our inquiries continue.”

Jay scored the winning goal during a half-time visit onto the pitch during Celtic’s recent victory over Hamilton Academical at their stadium at New Douglas Park.

Jay, who is a devoted Celtic fan, and his father Martin, were special guests of the club and the schoolboy was invited to try his hand, or foot, at putting the ball into the back of the net.

The goal was then shortlisted on the ‘Scottish Premiership Goal of the Month’ award for January and was picked by 97 per cent of the thousands of football fans who cast their votes. The announcement of Jay Beatty’s triumph was made on YouTube by the child’s hero, the former Celtic striker Georgios Samaras, he sent a message from Saudi Arabia to say: “Jay my friend, you and me we’re the same now, scoring goals. I’m very happy to announce you won the goal of the month. Well done pal, great job. I miss you and I love you.”

The friendship between Jay Beatty and Georgios Samaras began when the Celtic player spotted him in the stands and plucked him out to take part in the team’s celebrations when they lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy last year.

Jay then became an internet hit last summer when he was seen on social media sites cheering on Greece, for whom Georgios Samaras was playing, in their match against Costa Rica during the World Cup. The video was popular in Greece where football fans started a campaign to send Jay and his dad to Brazil to see Georgios Samaras in action.