A Celtic Man has been handed a Football Banning Order following the disorder that took place during the Scottish Premiership final day clash against Heart of Midlothian. The incident occurred after the match on Saturday, and has now resulted in legal consequences for one supporter.
Police Scotland confirmed that a 38-year-old man pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace offence connected to the disorder. He was convicted on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, following the incident at the end of the game.
The punishment includes a Community Payback Order requiring 150 hours of work, alongside a two-year Football Banning Order. The ban means the supporter is prohibited from attending football matches for the specified period, following his involvement in the disorder.
Constable Ryan Beveridge criticised the scenes that unfolded after the final whistle, describing what happened as “completely unacceptable”. His comments followed the disorder at Celtic Park and towards the Trongate area of Glasgow after the final game of the previous season.
The incident involved Hearts players being targeted and taunted by supporters who invaded the pitch. The scenes at the end of the match prompted concern, while the subsequent events led to a police response and action against those involved in the disorder.
Hearts officials and players left the stadium quickly after full-time. They were seen boarding the team bus, which was then escorted away from the stadium by police as the visitors departed following the conclusion of the Scottish Premiership fixture.
The supporter at the centre of the case was identified as Liam Connolly, 38. Police Scotland confirmed that he had pleaded guilty to the breach of the peace offence and received the punishment following his conviction at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 7 October, 2026.
The case follows reports published last month by Hearts Standard, which revealed that an arrest had been made over an alleged assault on a Hearts player. The player was understood to be Frankie Kent, although the report described the assault as alleged.
Police Scotland subsequently issued a statement confirming the Football Banning Order and the court outcome. The statement identified the match as Celtic versus Hearts, played on Saturday, 16 May, 2026, and linked the two-year ban to the disorder at the end of the game.
The statement read: “A 38-year-old man has been banned from attending football matches for two years for his involvement in disorder at the end of the Celtic v Hearts game on Saturday, 16 May, 2026.”
It continued: “Liam Connolly pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace offence and was convicted on Wednesday, 7 October, 2026, at Glasgow Sheriff Court.”
Police Scotland also confirmed the sentence imposed following the conviction, stating: “He was given a Community Payback Order consisting of 150 hours and is subject to a two-year Football Banning Order.”
Constable Beveridge also addressed the events that followed the match, making clear that the behaviour witnessed around the stadium and in
Glasgow was unacceptable. His remarks referred specifically to Celtic Park and the Trongate area after the final game of last season.
He said: “What followed at Celtic Park and towards the Trongate area of Glasgow after the final game of last season was completely unacceptable.”
The constable also stressed that police would not tolerate disorder or hostility and warned that those responsible would face consequences. His statement reinforced the message accompanying the court outcome and the Football Banning Order imposed in the case.
“We will not tolerate disorder and hostility of any kind and those involved will pay the consequences,” Constable Beveridge said.
The conviction and punishment follow the disorder that occurred after the Celtic and Hearts fixture on 16 May, 2026. Connolly’s guilty plea resulted in a Community Payback Order of 150 hours and a ban preventing him from attending football matches for two years.
The events also included the pitch invasion during which Hearts players were targeted and taunted by supporters. Following full-time, Hearts officials and players left the stadium quickly, with their team bus escorted away by police.
The reported arrest over an alleged assault on Frankie Kent had also been highlighted by Hearts Standard the previous month. Police Scotland’s statement subsequently confirmed Connolly’s conviction and the penalties imposed in connection with the disorder.
Constable Beveridge’s comments made clear the police position on the behaviour that followed the final match of the season. He described the scenes around Celtic Park and towards Trongate as completely unacceptable and stated that disorder and hostility would not be tolerated.
The two-year Football Banning Order is the restriction imposed on Connolly following the case. Alongside that ban, he must complete the 150 hours specified in his Community Payback Order, as confirmed by Police Scotland after the court proceedings.
The case therefore concludes with a conviction for breach of the peace, a Community Payback Order and a two-year restriction on attending football matches. Police Scotland has reiterated its stance that those involved in disorder and hostility will face consequences.