A Rangers fan who attacked a Celtic staff member after invading the pitch at Ibrox was jailed today for 18 months.
Marc Spence, 48, grabbed Hoops first team masseur Allan Baird and pulled him to the ground on March 8 2026. Rangers hosted Celtic that day in a Scottish Cup quarter final tie which the visitors won on penalties.
Pitch invasion and assault
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how a large number of fans from both sides entered the field of play after the match. Former SFA accredited youth football coach Spence, of Lanark, South Lanarkshire, was seen by police officers invading the pitch from the south stand.
Prosecutor Abbas Ali said: “Spence was running in an aggressive manner towards Celtic fans who had entered the pitch. Mr Baird, a Celtic member of staff, saw Spence running on the pitch.
“He was concerned that Spence was running in the direction of the Celtic team and staff so he stood in his path. Spence collided with Mr Baird who then grabbed him on the neck and pulled him to the ground.”
Arrest and court proceedings
Two police officers intervened and grabbed hold of Spence before they removed him from the pitch. While he was being escorted in handcuffs, Spence said: “I was trying to get past the guy - he stood in my way and I just took him out.”
CCTV of the incident was shown to the court in which Spence was surrounded by Celtic players as well as the officers who arrested him in the aftermath. First offender Spence pleaded guilty last month to assaulting Mr Baird as well as committing breach of the peace.
The Bacardi warehouse operative was back in the dock today from custody to be sentenced.
Sentencing and ban
Darren Fleming, defending, told the sentencing: "He was heading to the turnstiles at the conclusion of the game when he became aware of a pitch invasion. He made the stupid to turn around. He was not an instigator but accepts that he made a conscious decision to get involved."He witnessed fans of the opposition damaging seats in the stadium and felt that he could perhaps assist. In hindsight, he knows that it was a reckless decision."
It was also revealed that Spence has been given a lifetime ban from Ibrox Stadium. When jailing him, Sheriff Owen Mullan told Spence that a custodial sentence was "merited."
The sheriff said: "By your own admission, several stewards tried to stop you from entering the pitch and you were determined to do so. You travelled some distance across the pitch and assaulted a member of staff and in your own words 'took him out'.
"You grabbed him around the head and neck and dragged him to the ground. As an SFA accredited youth football coach you will be aware of the standards of professionalism and responsibility expected at football. As a football fan you will know the standards expected.
"Your behaviour was appalling and witnessed in the stadium and on national television. There is little doubt that there were children who saw your actions across Scotland.
"Despite your plea of guilty and matters caught on CCTV, the author of your background report says you continue to minimise your behaviour and serious nature of the charges. I am told this is not the case [by Mr Fleming] and that you do accept the extent of your actions - I am willing to accept that is the case.
"What is noteworthy, is nowhere in the background report to you seek to expressly apologise to your victim."
Spence was also banned from football matches for seven-and-a-half years at the sentencing.
