Rangers fan admits guilt over threat to shoot Lennon

● Witness ‘disgusted’ by Facebook rant that labelled Hibs manager a terrorist

A Rangers fan has admitted to threatening to kill Hibernian manager Neil Lennon in a foul-mouthed Facebook rant.

Sean Cowan, 54, said he would get a gun and shoot the former Celtic captain and manager in the head after he cupped his ears in celebration during Hibs’ 3-2 win over Rangers at Ibrox on August 12.

The remarks were made on the Facebook page of Rangers fan site Follow Follow after the match.

Mr Cowan yesterday admitted at a pre-trial hearing to posting a series of comments around 10pm that night that read: “Somebody give me a weapon and I will shoot this little terrorist c**t in the head with impunity.

“I’m serious. I would. I can get one, not a problem. Police Scotland are probably all over it now though. I have previous for firearms, so I’m expecting a chap soon.”

Mr Cowan, from Johnstone, Renfrewshire, tried to cover his tracks by deleting the messages from the social media site.

But he was identified thanks to an unnamed witness who took screenshots of the messages and passed them to police, leading to Mr Cowan’s arrest and conviction.

The Rangers supporter fac-

0 Neil Lennon’s celebrations at Ibrox sparked uproar among fans es a potential prison sentence when he returns to Paisley Sheriff Court next month.

Mr Cowan struck a deal with prosecutors that involved him pleading guilty to one charge in exchange for the second being dropped.

He admitted guilt to breaking a section of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012.

Defence solicitor Terry Gallanagh said: “Essentially the background is that there was a game at Ibrox involving Rangers and Hibernian.

“While many people on this internet site – the idiots, frankly – state to ‘never surrender’ or say ‘no surrender’, Mr Cowan has surrendered and accepted his responsibility.

“He is truly sorry and disgusted with himself.”

Mr Gallanagh asked Sheriff Vincent Canavan to deal with Mr Cowan there and then.

But the sheriff ruled the matter was too serious to be dealt with on the spot and called for background reports from social workers ahead of sentencing.

Mr Cowan, who has previous convictions for assault and assault to severe injury, was released on bail and could be sent to jail when he returns to the dock next month.

Mrlennonhadbeenthesubject of a inquiry over his goal celebrations in the August win, but police later confirmed he would not face action. He was investigated after Rangers fans were left outraged by his Ibrox touchline antics.