Shocking moment ex-Scotland international goalkeeper is attacked on the pitch by rival fans who had branded him a ‘Celtic paedophile’
Rab Douglas abused on pitch after his team scored a last minute winner
THIS is the shocking moment a former Scotland goalkeeper was attacked on the pitch by thugs who called him a "Celtic paedophile”.
Rab Douglas was taking a goal kick for his team Forfar when a hooligan spat at his back.
As the ref blew the final whistle the two men rushed onto the park and launched an attack on Douglas who was forced to fight back.
The 6ft 3in ex-Celtic goalie had endured abuse from opposition Airdrie fans from the stands all game and was branded a “big Fenian b*****d”.
It turned violent after Forfar, known as the Loons, scored a last minute winner to deny the away team promotion on April 11.
His teammates had to come between them as marshals wrestled with the thugs.
Douglas, 44, told Forfar Sheriff Court: “I heard our left-back Iain Campbell shout at me and I turned round.
"The first man was about 2ft away.
“The second fan approached and we made contact as well.
“I didn’t know if they had weapons, knives or bottles, or anything on them.
“My teammates rushed over and grabbed me and got me away.”
The court was shown footage of the yobs hurtling towards him at Forfar’s Station Park.
Ian Bear, 36, and Ryan Lawrence, 19, both of Airdrie, admitted running on to the pitch, shouting, swearing and struggling with Douglas.
An allegation that the crime, in April last year, was motivated by sectarianism was dropped.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Bear, who has two previous football disorder convictions, that he was “in serious trouble”.
Sentence was deferred until next month and both face stadium bans.
Douglas Allsop, 40, of Airdrie, and Kenneth Murray, 30, of Aberdeen, denied separate charges against them.
Mr Douglas has played for Livingston, Dundee, Celtic, Leicester City and Forfar.
He made 19 appearances for the Scotland national team between 2002 and 2005.
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