Cops to probe football manager’s ‘lifestyle’

Paul McColl is lucky to be alive according to police, who insist they will now look into the football manager’s background as they try to solve the attempt on his life.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information on last Wednesday night’s shooting to come forward.

Mr McColl remained in Queen Elizabeth University Hospital as the Reformer went to print yesterday.

He is still too ill to tell police what happened. But Detective Superintendent Allan Burton, from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team (West), insists officers will be looking into the father-of-two’s ‘lifestyle’ and will consider if the attack was related to organised crime.

Speaking outside the Kirkhill Bar where McColl had days earlier staggered into shouting for help, DS Burton said:“The shooting that happened here was a targeted attack on Mr McColl.

“The circumstances around why he was attacked, we will be investigating fully.

“We will be focusing on identifying the background of Mr McColl’s lifestyle, trying to identify the person who may have a grudge.

“We are looking at any potential link to organised criminality. We are looking at forensic examination of the vehicle, forensic examination of clothing. And obviously CCTV and house to house [visits] are vital to identify and capture the person who is responsible for this heinous crime. He was shot in or at his vehicle so one of the views we are looking at is that he was deliberately targeted at that location.”

DS Burton insisted risk to locals in Cambuslang was low and added: “We believe it was targeted and it was him that they were looking for so the risk to the community and in this area is extremely low.”

Anyone with information that could assist with police enquiries is asked to contact Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team (West) via 101, quoting incident number 3953 of Wednesday, February 21.

Alternatively call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.