An unprovoked assault took place in the aftermath of Celtic’s victory against The Rangers on Sunday which Police Scotland are refusing to recognise as a sectarian or football related attack according to Irish News.
Celtic Fan, Charlie Phelan was visiting Scotland from Derry to watch his side win the Glasgow derby.
It was after the game when he was heading back that the incident would occur in Ayrshire.
Speaking about the incident to Irish News, Charlie’s friend and fellow Celtic fan Dermot Rogan said: “We had stopped in Girvan for fish and chips as we always do.
“As we came out, a crowd of fellas came running at us from a bus. There were women and children on the bus as well.
“Charlie was the first out and the guy in front hit him and he fell and when he tried to get up, the guy hit him again. Charlie didn’t know what was going on.”
Charlie himself was wearing a Celtic scarf and believes he was targeted because of it – while none of the thugs were wearing Gers shirts – he did notice one of them was wearing union jack shorts.
Still understandably shaken by the whole incident – Charlie, who has been coming over from Ireland to watch Celtic for 25 years says he won’t be back and described the extent of his injuries.
“I have to have reconstructive surgery to my cheekbone and I’ve suffered fractures to my fingers and wrist as well. They could have killed me. I had no chance to defend myself.
“They think he might have had a knuckleduster because the doctor said he must have had something hard in his hand for the damage he caused.
“My face is a mess and it’s sore. The anger hasn’t even sunk in yet. I will not be back.”
It’s a sad state of affairs when a Celtic fan can’t wear his colours out and about after a football game because of mindless thugs.
Police Scotland are looking into this case but as we said at the top, there is no plans to treat this as a sectarian or football related attack.
It’s pretty clear why the perpetrators targeted Charlie.
We hope he has a speedy recovery and that he changes his mind and comes back to watch his beloved Celtic.
The club should roll out the green carpet for him upon his return.
