Rangers fan jailed for attacking Celtic staff member during pitch invasion

Rangers fan Marc Spence, 48, jailed for 18 months after attacking Celtic masseur Allan Baird during pitch invasion at Ibrox on 8 March 2026; also banned from football for 7.5 years.

Marc Spence, a 48-year-old Rangers fan and former SFA-accredited youth football coach, was jailed for 18 months after assaulting Celtic first team masseur Allan Baird during a pitch invasion at Ibrox on 8 March 2026. The incident occurred after Rangers hosted Celtic in a Scottish Cup quarter final that ended goalless, with Celtic winning on penalties.

After the match, fans from both clubs invaded the pitch. Spence ran aggressively towards Celtic supporters, and when Baird stood in his path concerned about Spence's direction, Spence collided with him, grabbed him by the neck and pulled him to the ground. Police officers intervened and removed Spence from the pitch in handcuffs.

Spence pleaded guilty to assaulting Baird and committing breach of the peace. Sheriff Owen Mullan described his behaviour as "appalling" and noted it was witnessed in the stadium and on national television. The sheriff expressed concern that children across Scotland saw the actions. Spence was also given a lifetime ban from Ibrox Stadium and banned from attending football matches for seven-and-a-half years.