PATHETIC & DISGUSTING
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CELTIC last night slammed the vile thugs who aimed sick chants at former boss Brendan Rodgers as pathetic and disgusting.
Footage emerged online of a group of fans – believed to be in an Edinburgh pub – singing they hoped the Northern Irishman died in his
FROM BACK PAGE sleep from a bullet from the IRA.
Police Scotland are investigating the incident and Celtic were swift to condemn the yobs while defending the former manager who enraged supporters with his shock decision to quit for Leicester earlier this week.
Neil Lennon stepped in as interim boss ahead of Wednesday night’s dramatic 2-1 win at Hearts but police have also confirmed they are investigating allegations of sectarian signing at Tynecastle.
Hearts keeper Bobby Zlamal was targeted by a coin-tosser in the away end while Record Sport understands Celtic substitutes were also forced to dodge missiles from the home stands.
Rodgers – who took his first training session with his new players at Leicester yesterday – was slaughtered by a section of Hoops supporters before the game.
A banner labelled the outgoing boss a “fraud” and claimed he’d traded “immortality for mediocrity” having walked out on the club with the treble Treble in their sights.
But the clip of the pub abuse provoked a strong response from club chiefs.
A Celtic spokesman said: “We have no knowledge of who these individuals are or any connection they have to Celtic. But one thing is certain – such disgusting and pathetic behaviour would never have any place at our club and of course we condemn this completely.
“As we have already said, we thank Brendan for his outstanding and historic contribution to the club and we wish him well for the future.”
A police spokesman said: “We are aware of footage posted to social media taken in a premises prior to the fixture between Hearts and Celtic on Wednesday February 27 and will review this to establish if further action is required. We are also investigating reports of sectarian singing that took place at the match.
“Police are also investigating reports of coins being thrown.”
Hoops fans were criticised for IRA chanting at Tynecastle while it is understood the Parkhead club were unhappy with unsavoury singing from Hearts punters.
The latest controversy comes after the Scottish game was dragged into the gutter after Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd was hit by a coin from the Hoops fans at Rugby Park and Killie manager Steve Clarke was branded a Fenian b ****** at Ibrox just days later.
Meanwhile, Rodgers looked happy as he worked with his new charges at Leicester’s Belvoir Drive training complex.
He gave a presentation to the players about what he expects from them before setting to work on the training pitch. He chatted with England centre-back Harry Maguire, Demarai Gray and Christian Fuchs.