Celtic fan admits mocking Ibrox disaster at Old Firm game

A Celtic fan has admitted mocking the Ibrox disaster at an Old Firm game.

Darren Malloch, 35, was in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

He pleaded guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner during the 1-1 draw at Ibrox Stadium on May 4 this year.

Court papers state Malloch, of the city’s Parkhouse, behaved in an aggressive manner.

The charge says that he directed offensive imagery and gestures towards fans seated in the home section of the stadium.

Sheriff Paul Reid asked defence lawyer Neal McShane: “Is this [the incident] covered in the press?”

Mr McShane replied: “Yes.”

Sheriff Reid: “In the circumstances and due to the behaviour which is particularly offensive, I will defer sentencing for a social work report.”

It has previously been reported that Malloch received an indefinite ban from Celtic Park.

A spokesperson for the club said: “We have investigated the matter.

“Clearly, we condemn such conduct, and the club has taken the appropriate action with regard to this individual.”

Malloch was videoed holding up his phone with the number 66 on the screen, the number of fans who lost their lives in the stairway crush on January 2, 1971.

Malloch was then seen holding up six fingers twice and doing a falling gesture as he continued to mock the disaster.

Footage of the taunt was later shared on social media platforms.

In a statement after the match, Rangers said: “It is deeply upsetting that once again, an incident like this has occurred.

“As the club has stated before, the Ibrox disaster remains the darkest day in our club’s history and continues to affect a number of families to this day.

“The mocking and celebration of any tragedy is abhorrent, and has no place in any football stadium or society as a whole.

“The club urges the justice system to take the appropriate action over these matters.”

Malloch – who was previously a project manager at Advance Construction Scotland – lost his job after they received a string of complaints.

Malloch was granted bail pending sentencing next month.