SNS GroupA Rangers fan who threw a coin that struck Celtic midfielder Arne Engels on the head has been banned from attending any football matches for five years.
Cameron Douglas, 23, injured the Belgian international during an Old Firm game at Ibrox on January 2 this year.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Engels was standing near the Broomloan Road stand.
Prosecutor James John Wood said: “At this time, Douglas was in possession of an item and threw it in the direction of the touchline.
“This struck Mr Engels to the left upper eye and caused him to fall to the ground in a confused state.
SNS Group“The referee made his way towards the location and allowed Mr Engels to receive medical treatment.
“Thereafter, the referee identified a one-pound coin near Mr Engels.”
CCTV was reviewed, and Douglas was spotted due to his black jacket as well as his red, white, and blue scarf.
Officers reported that he was seen to “forcefully throw” the coin in Engels’ direction.
Douglas handed himself in to the police after a media appeal took place.
In reply to caution and charge, Douglas said: “I understand what’s happening.”
Dad-of-one Douglas, of the city’s Springburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Engels to his injury.
Bronwyn Moore, defending, told the court that her client had been drinking heavily due to poor mental health at the time and had little recollection of the incident.
The lawyer added: “He fully understands the seriousness of this and accepts the significant impact this would have had on a man at his work.
“He is extremely ashamed, remorseful, and apologetic to the victim.”
Sheriff Mary Shields ordered Douglas to do 200 hours of unpaid work and tagged him for nine months, keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.
He was also banned from attending all football matches for a period of five years.
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