IRVINE MAN DAVID MCLELLAN INVOLVED IN OLD FIRM PITCH INTRUSION AND SEX OFFENDER SCANDAL

In May 2017, a disturbing incident unfolded during an Old Firm match at Ibrox Stadium involving David McLellan, a known supporter of Rangers. The incident began when McLellan unexpectedly ran onto the pitch during the intense Scottish Premiership fixture, which saw Rangers face off against Celtic. His actions drew immediate attention as he bypassed stewards and made a beeline toward Celtic’s captain, Scott Brown, and striker Leigh Griffiths, creating a tense and potentially dangerous situation on the field.

McLellan’s behavior was not isolated to this match. It was revealed that he has a troubling history of criminal conduct, including a previous conviction for exposing himself to an 11-year-old girl. The incident involving the young girl occurred as she was walking along the road with her mother, and McLellan, then 23 years old, was caught exposing himself in her presence. For this offense, he pleaded guilty to indecency and was sentenced to 30 months’ probation. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register and subjected to a restricted liberty order, reflecting the seriousness of his prior misconduct.

During the recent pitch invasion, McLellan’s aggressive approach escalated tensions. He engaged in a physical confrontation with Celtic’s Scott Brown before Rangers players Danny Wilson and James Tavernier intervened, rushing to calm the situation. The players pleaded with McLellan to leave the pitch, but he persisted, even kissing the badge on his Rangers jersey in a provocative gesture before police officers arrived to arrest him. The incident was captured and scrutinized by spectators and officials alike.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court, McLellan faced charges related to his disruptive behavior. He pleaded guilty to engaging in conduct likely to incite public disorder by running aggressively toward Scott Brown. The court proceedings revealed that McLellan has a long-standing pattern of offending behavior and has previously served time in jail. A court source commented on his ongoing issues, stating, “He is one of these guys who just can’t help himself offending. Despite the fact he has two kids, he is still out causing trouble and getting involved in childish behavior like pitch invasions. It’s pathetic. You would have thought that he would have grown up a bit.”

Following the incident, Rangers Football Club announced that McLellan would be indefinitely banned from attending matches, citing concerns over his behavior and the safety of players and fans. The case has attracted significant media attention, especially given McLellan’s prior criminal record. Many in the community expressed disbelief that someone with such a history could be involved in such disruptive and provocative actions again, recalling the earlier flashing incident that had brought him notoriety. The incident at Ibrox has once again cast a spotlight on issues of fan conduct and the importance of security measures at major sporting events.