A CELTIC fan has been cleared of attempting to run on to the pitch after a goal against Rangers.
Thomas McNally, 41, of Glenrothes, was alleged to have committed the offence at Celtic Park on May 1, 2022.
The Hoops faced their Glasgow rivals in the final Old Firm match of the season which finished 1-1.
Celtic's only goal of the game came from Portuguese winger Jota who netted after 21 minutes.
A police officer told Glasgow Sheriff Court that a number of Celtic players celebrated at the south east corner.
He said: "Mr McNally was further forward than the other fans, he was the only person in the immediate area of the Celtic players and the field of play."
Prosecutor Caitlin O'Hare asked the officer what he saw McNally doing.
"Attempting to reach the Celtic players who were celebrating."
Miss O'Hare asked: "In what way was he attempting to reach them?"
The officer said: "By jumping about celebrating himself attempting to push his body forward.
"He attempted to enter the restricted area of play at the pitch side."
Miss O'Hare asked if the officer saw how McNally entered the restricted area.
He replied: "No."
The officer added that McNally was cooperative with stewards and did not see him celebrating.
Miss O'Hare asked: "You said he was attempting to reach the Celtic players, what way was he attempting to reach them if he was being cooperative with the stewards?"
The officer said: "It was my understanding where he was in the proximity to the players, it would have been nothing but the of play from where he was situated to where the players were.
"It would be the stewards who would have blocked him from reaching where they were."
Miss O'Hare said: "You did not see how he got in the restricted area."
The officer replied: "No."
Miss O'Hare then stated to sheriff Mary Shields that the Crown was no longer seeking a conviction for the charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Sheriff Shields told McNally that he was not guilty and free to go.
He replied: "Thanks very much."
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