A MAN has admitted carrying out a protest that brought a Rangers european match to a halt.

Sean Gallagher raced across the Ibrox pitch last November draped in a Palestinian flag and wearing a Pope T-shirt.

The 21-year-old was eventually dragged away by police as he tried to handcuff himself to a goalpost before launching abuse at Rangers fans.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, Gallagher admitted to a sectarian breach of the peace in connection with the incident.

He could now face jail when he returns next month - and also faces paying the £4000 fine that Rangers were hit with for his antics.

The protest came during Rangers' Uefa Cup clash with Israeli side Maccabi Haifa on November 2 last year.

The game was beamed by the BBC to millions of viewers across the country.

Midway through the second-half, Gallagher jumped out of the 45,000-strong crowd and got on to the pitch draped in the Palestinian flag.

He managed to get to the goal at the Broomloan Road end where he tried to cuff himself to a post.

Gallagher then repeatedly chanted a Republican slogan at nearby Rangers fans, who became "extremely annoyed" and had to be restrained.

The game was eventually restarted after a four-minute delay.

Rangers were fined £4212 by Uefa due to the protest. They are now looking for the former hospital worker to compensate them.

Ross Yuill, defending, said Gallagher had been forced to move from his home in the city's Woodlands due to death threats.

Sheriff Fiona Tait deferred sentencing until next month.