![\"Police](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/2025-celtic-championship-trongate-title-995682847.jpg\")
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Police witnessed the attack happen at Glasgow’s Gallowgate in September 2024Credit: Alamy<\/p>\n
Celtic<\/a> were due to play Hearts<\/a> in a match Brendan Rodgers<\/a>‘ side went on to win 2-0.<\/p>\n Fire<\/a> safety officer Connolly was noted by witnesses to be swinging his arms around in an attempt to start a fight<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prosecutor Jason Black told Glasgow<\/a> Sheriff Court: “Connolly struck Mr McGrady to the hand with a glass bottle.<\/p>\n “He then punched him to the face and body.”<\/p>\n READ MORE ON THE SCOTTISH SUN<\/p>\n A member of the public attempted to intervene but Connolly continued to attack<\/a> Mr McGrady by pushing him onto the road.<\/p>\n This was overseen by police<\/a> officers who arrested Connolly who had travelled to the game from his home<\/a> in Cumbria.<\/p>\n Connolly was taken into custody where he made the reply to caution and charge: “I fought my ground.”<\/p>\n Mr McGrady meantime was noted to have an injury to his hand but refused medical<\/a> treatment.<\/p>\n Connolly pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr McGrady to his injury.<\/p>\n John Kilcoyne, defending, told today’s sentencing that the dad-of-one has a “hazy recollection” of the incident.<\/p>\n Cheeky Celtic supporters hoist Irish flag at site of Scotland’s new superjail<\/p>\n The lawyer added: “He is deeply ashamed and disappointed in himself – he has shown remorse and regret.”<\/p>\n Sheriff Bernard Ablett ordered Connolly to do 176 hours of unpaid work and put him under supervision for nine months.<\/p>\n The sheriff also gave Connolly a football<\/a> banning order as well as the restriction not to enter Greater Glasgow during Celtic home matches for a period of 18 months.<\/p>\n He said: “You should understand that this was a serious offence in that you assaulted your victim to his injury.<\/p>\n “A bottle was used in the assault<\/a> and the nature<\/a> of the offence has been reflected in my sentence.<\/p>\n “You have crossed the custodial threshold but with your settled family background and having stayed out of trouble since 2012 I will impose a community disposal.”<\/p>\n