Celtic fan banned for two years after Shankland gesture.

A Celtic supporter has been prohibited from attending football matches for two years after making an offensive gesture towards former Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland during a pitch invasion at Celtic Park.

Liam Connolly, aged 37, was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work after admitting an offence of breach of the peace at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The incident happened on 16 May after Celtic secured a crucial victory over Hearts on the final day of the season. The 3-1 win against the Edinburgh side confirmed Celtic as Scottish league champions and delivered the club their 56th league title.

Following the final whistle, Celtic supporters flooded onto the pitch to celebrate the championship success. Connolly was among the supporters who entered the playing area during the large-scale pitch invasion.

According to details presented to the court, Connolly approached Shankland during the disorder and directed what was described as an “offensive gesture” towards the Hearts player.

Lawrence Shankland and other Hearts players were escorted from the pitch after fans invaded

At the time, Shankland was still a Hearts striker and was aged 31. The incident occurred as celebrations continued following Celtic’s title-clinching victory.

Connolly, who is from Kirkcaldy in Fife, later appeared before Glasgow Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace.

Court documents described his behaviour as disorderly and stated that he had been part of a disorderly crowd that entered the pitch.

The charge stated that Connolly joined the group of supporters who breached the playing area before approaching Shankland and making the offensive gesture.

The circumstances surrounding the incident formed part of the evidence considered by the court before the punishment was imposed.

Connolly was subsequently given a football banning order preventing him from attending football matches for two years. He was also instructed to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as part of his sentence.

The incident occurred during an emotional afternoon for Celtic supporters, who were celebrating the club securing another league championship.

Celtic had gone into the final day knowing the result against Hearts would have major implications at the top of the table. Their eventual 3-1 victory ensured they finished as champions and lifted the league trophy for the 56th time.

The celebrations that followed quickly turned into a major pitch invasion, with a large number of home supporters entering the field after the final whistle.

While the majority of supporters were celebrating Celtic’s success, Connolly’s actions resulted in criminal proceedings and ultimately a two-year ban from football grounds.

The court heard that Connolly had been carrying a child during the incident. The child’s identity was not known to the Crown at the time.

The fact that the supporter was carrying a child was included in the circumstances surrounding the incident, although the main focus of the charge was his involvement in the disorderly crowd and his conduct towards Shankland.

The case serves as another example of the legal consequences that can follow incidents involving supporters entering the pitch during football matches.

Pitch invasions have sometimes formed part of title celebrations, but supporters can face action when their behaviour crosses into disorderly or offensive conduct.

In Connolly’s case, his decision to approach an opposing player during the pitch invasion and make an offensive gesture ultimately led to his appearance before the court.

The two-year football ban means he will be unable to attend football matches during the period covered by the order. Alongside that restriction, he must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

The punishment followed his guilty plea to the breach of peace charge.

The original match between Celtic and Hearts had been a significant occasion for the home club. Celtic’s 3-1 victory secured the league championship, giving supporters the opportunity to celebrate another major domestic success.

Shankland, who was then 31, was among the Hearts players involved in the fixture. After the match, the mass pitch invasion created chaotic scenes as Celtic supporters celebrated their title triumph.

During those scenes, Connolly made his way towards Shankland and carried out the gesture that later became the focus of the criminal case.

The court documents stated that Connolly had behaved in a disorderly fashion and had been part of the crowd that entered the field of play.

His guilty plea meant the court did not have to determine the matter through a contested trial.

The resulting sentence included both community-based punishment and a restriction on attending football matches.

Connolly’s case also underlines the potential consequences of entering the pitch, particularly when a supporter becomes involved in an incident involving a player.

Although pitch invasions can occur during moments of celebration, supporters remain subject to the law and can be prosecuted when their behaviour is considered disorderly or breaches the peace.

For Connolly, the consequences extend beyond the 150 hours of unpaid work.

He will also be excluded from football matches for two years, preventing him from attending games during that period.

The incident began with Celtic’s title celebrations but ended with a court conviction and football banning order.

Celtic’s victory over Hearts was ultimately remembered as the result that secured the club’s 56th league title. However, Connolly’s actions during the subsequent pitch invasion have now resulted in a separate legal outcome.

The 37-year-old Celtic supporter admitted the breach of the peace charge at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was sentenced after the incident involving Shankland.

The court’s decision means Connolly must complete the unpaid work requirement while also observing the two-year football ban.

The case highlights how celebrations following major football victories can still lead to serious consequences when individual supporters engage in disorderly or offensive behaviour.

While thousands of Celtic supporters celebrated their team’s championship triumph, Connolly’s conduct towards Shankland resulted in legal action and a lengthy exclusion from football grounds.

His two-year ban and 150-hour unpaid work order now form the consequences of an incident that took place during the celebrations at Celtic Park on 16 May.