Court clears former SPFL boss accused of assaulting Rangers supporter

A former Scottish Premiership manager has been cleared of assaulting a Rangers supporter following an alleged altercation during a night out in Glasgow, with the court ruling there was insufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

Jim McIntyre, the ex-Dundee and Ross County boss, was found not guilty of attacking Declan Denholm in Glasgow city centre on January 19, 2025. The 53-year-old had consistently denied the allegation, which claimed he assaulted Mr Denholm during an incident that unfolded in the early hours on Sauchiehall Street. Co-accused David Elliott, also 53, was likewise acquitted of all charges.

According to court papers, prosecutors alleged that McIntyre, from Dunblane, and Elliott, of Dumbarton in West Dunbartonshire, ran toward Mr Denholm before throwing a jacket at him. The charge further claimed that both men repeatedly punched and kicked the Rangers fan on his head and body, knocking him to the ground and causing injury.

Former Dundee and Ross County boss Jim McIntyre has been cleared of assaultCredit: Kenny Ramsay

McIntyre claims he had sectarian abuse directed at him during the incidentCredit: Steve Welsh – Commissioned by The Sun Glasgow

After hearing all the evidence, Sheriff Martin Jones KC concluded that the prosecution had not met the required standard of proof. Delivering his decision, he stated: “In this particular case, I am not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.” As the verdict was delivered, both McIntyre and Elliott thanked the sheriff as they left the dock.

Following the trial, Mr Elliott released a statement in which he claimed that he and McIntyre were, in fact, the victims during the incident. He alleged that both men, who are Catholics, were subjected to sectarian and anti-Irish abuse on the night in question. The statement suggested that the pair had been targeted and assaulted rather than acting as aggressors.

During his evidence to the court, McIntyre provided his own account of events. He explained that he and Elliott, who have been friends since childhood, had gone out for dinner and drinks with their wives that evening. The group had been enjoying a social night in the city before heading back to their hotel in the early hours.

McIntyre told the court that as they were walking, they encountered a group consisting of Declan Denholm, Kenzie White and Joshua Daniel. It was at this point, he claimed, that the situation began to escalate. McIntyre said he heard sectarian chants being directed toward him and Elliott, which immediately raised concern.

He went on to describe a sudden confrontation involving Elliott and Mr Denholm. According to McIntyre, he saw Mr Denholm “rugby tackle” Elliott into temporary fencing that had been erected along Sauchiehall Street. Alarmed by what he was witnessing, McIntyre said he moved toward the pair in an attempt to intervene.

“I went over to try and free David,” McIntyre told the court, explaining that Elliott was on the ground with Mr Denholm on top of him. He described the scene as chaotic and frightening, particularly given that their wives were present nearby.

McIntyre further claimed that another member of the group, identified as Kenzie White, appeared to be holding a bag of cans wrapped around his hand, which he believed could be used as a weapon. He said that shortly afterward he felt a blow to his head.

“After that, I don’t remember anything,” McIntyre said in his testimony. He explained that his memory of the incident was extremely limited after that point, including having no recollection of police officers arriving at the scene.

He told the court that it was later explained to him by his wife that she had been answering questions on his behalf when officers spoke to them. McIntyre said his lack of awareness was consistent with concussion, something he was familiar with from his football career.

“Having been concussed several times during my career, there was no doubt in my mind that I was concussed,” he said, suggesting that his condition at the time impaired his ability to understand or recall events clearly.

Earlier in the proceedings, a different version of events was presented by Kenzie White, who was 20 at the time. Mr White told the court that it was David Elliott, not Mr Denholm, who had initiated physical contact by rugby tackling Mr Denholm to the ground. He also claimed that McIntyre had thrown a kick in an attempt to separate the two men.

Under cross-examination by Elliott’s advocate, Joe Barr, Mr White was asked whether sectarian abuse had been directed at McIntyre and Elliott prior to the confrontation. Specifically, he was questioned on whether Mr Denholm had shouted threats about killing Catholics or using the term “Fenians.” Mr White denied hearing such remarks.

The court also heard evidence relating to Joshua Daniel, who stated that both he and Mr Denholm were Rangers supporters. When asked again about the alleged sectarian comments, Mr White responded that he could not remember whether such statements had been made.

With conflicting accounts presented and no clear, consistent version of events established beyond reasonable doubt, the sheriff ultimately ruled in favour of the defence. The not guilty verdict brought the case to a close, allowing both McIntyre and Elliott to leave court without conviction.

The outcome marked a significant moment for McIntyre, whose reputation had been under scrutiny following the allegations. The former SPFL manager is now free to move on after being cleared of wrongdoing, while the case also reignited broader discussions around sectarian tensions, football loyalties, and late-night confrontations in Scotland’s city centres.

O’Neill steps in to halt Celtic player’s departure after near-move collapse

Martin O’Neill has made it clear that Hyun-jun Yang is not going anywhere during the January transfer window, with the Celtic manager determined to keep hold of one of his most in-form players. After a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding his future, Yang has finally cemented his place at Parkhead, and his resurgence has convinced O’Neill that the winger is far too important to lose midway through the season.

Now in his third campaign with Celtic, Yang is enjoying the most productive spell of his time in Glasgow. While his early years at the club were marked by inconsistency and limited opportunities, the 23-year-old has stepped up significantly in recent weeks. His improved performances have not only earned him a regular place in the starting XI but have also reshaped perceptions of his long-term value to the squad.

Yang has found the net three times in his last five appearances, a return that underlines his growing influence in the final third. Those contributions have come at a critical time for Celtic, who are fighting to stay in touch with Hearts at the top of the Premiership table. With the margins so fine in the title race, O’Neill has little appetite for weakening his squad, particularly by allowing an in-form attacker to depart.

The winger’s current standing represents a dramatic turnaround from where he was only a few months ago. Last summer, Yang was widely expected to leave Celtic after making just nine league starts during the 2024–25 campaign. His role under previous management had been sporadic, and interest from the Championship suggested that a permanent exit was a genuine possibility.

Birmingham City, in particular, were confident they would secure Yang’s signature for a fee in the region of £3 million. Negotiations progressed deep into the summer window, and at one stage, the move appeared all but complete. However, Celtic ultimately pulled the plug late on deadline day, largely because they failed to recruit a replacement before the window closed. That decision, though controversial at the time, has since been vindicated.

Yang’s fortunes began to change soon after. He fought his way back into contention under Wilfried Nancy and has taken his game to another level since Martin O’Neill’s return. The veteran manager has shown faith in the South Korean winger, deploying him consistently in his preferred right-wing role rather than the more restrictive right wing-back position he had previously occupied.

That positional clarity has made a noticeable difference. Freed to focus on attacking responsibilities, Yang has looked sharper, more confident, and far more decisive in the final third. His movement off the ball, willingness to take on defenders, and improved end product have all stood out during his recent run in the team.

Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, it was revealed that any talk of Yang leaving in January is firmly off the table. Despite renewed interest from Birmingham City earlier this winter, Celtic have no intention of reopening discussions. O’Neill views Yang as one of the first names on the team sheet and believes his contribution will be vital during the second half of the season.

It was explained that Yang’s near-departure last summer was largely circumstantial. Celtic’s failure to complete incoming business meant they could not afford to sanction his exit, even though Birmingham were convinced they had secured an agreement. Since then, Yang has repaid the club’s decision to retain him by proving his worth on the pitch.

Under O’Neill, Yang has been entrusted with greater responsibility, and his performances have reflected that trust. His goal in the recent win over Dundee United further strengthened his case, reinforcing the sense that he has finally found his rhythm in Scottish football.

Crucially, Celtic’s current squad depth also plays a major role in O’Neill’s thinking. Injuries and underwhelming form in other attacking areas have left the Hoops short of reliable options, making Yang’s availability even more valuable. Allowing him to leave would significantly weaken the squad at a time when every point matters.

There is also a broader context to consider. Yang struggled to make an impression under Brendan Rodgers and appeared destined for the fringes of the squad. However, his revival under O’Neill suggests that his best football may still lie ahead. The manager is keen to harness that momentum rather than disrupt it with a mid-season transfer.

As a result, Celtic are not expected to entertain any offers for Yang during the current window. Instead, O’Neill plans to rely on him as a key component of the team’s push in the latter stages of the campaign, viewing him as an asset rather than a surplus player.

Meanwhile, speculation surrounding a potential reunion between Yang and Kyogo Furuhashi has also been addressed. The pair previously played together at Celtic before Kyogo’s departure last January, and rumours suggested they could link up again either at Parkhead or St Andrew’s.

Kyogo joined Birmingham City from Rennes in the summer but has endured a difficult spell in the Championship. The Japanese striker has yet to register a goal or assist in 23 appearances, raising questions about his future. Despite reports linking him with a return to Celtic, sources indicate that Birmingham have no intention of letting him leave this month.

Celtic, for their part, are looking elsewhere to strengthen their attacking options. With the club keen to add firepower to support their title challenge, attention has reportedly turned to Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana. The Hoops are believed to be monitoring his situation closely ahead of a potential permanent move.

In summary, Hyun-jun Yang’s journey at Celtic has reached a pivotal moment. From being on the brink of departure to becoming a central figure under Martin O’Neill, his transformation has been one of the more compelling narratives of the season. With his confidence high and his performances improving, Celtic see no reason to break up that progress.

For now, Yang remains firmly part of O’Neill’s plans, and any club hoping to prise him away will have to wait. Celtic’s focus is clear: keep their key players, strengthen where possible, and push relentlessly in the race for silverware.

Martin O’Neill responds to Callum Wilson links with Celtic

Speculation linking Callum Wilson with a potential move to Celtic has been played down by Martin O’Neill, who claims the reports came as a surprise to him.

The West Ham United striker has been widely tipped to be on the lookout for a new club during the current transfer window, with his future at the London Stadium appearing uncertain. Recent reports suggested that Celtic had made an approach to West Ham to explore the possibility of bringing the experienced forward to Glasgow, but O’Neill insists he has no concrete knowledge of any such discussions.

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Wilson, a former England international, has struggled for regular minutes this season and, at 33, is understood to be keen on securing more consistent game time. That situation has naturally fuelled rumours about a possible move away from West Ham, with Celtic among the clubs mentioned as potential suitors as they search for attacking reinforcements.

However, speaking to the media, O’Neill distanced himself from the reports and made it clear that Wilson’s name had not been part of his immediate thinking. Asked directly about the striker, the interim Celtic boss admitted the speculation was new to him.

“I can’t really tell you anything,” O’Neill said. “To be honest, it was actually news to me. We are looking for goals, of course, but that’s hardly unique to Celtic. Every team is searching for reliable goal scorers.”

While he refused to comment on Wilson specifically, O’Neill did stress that Celtic are actively working behind the scenes to strengthen their squad. He suggested that progress is being made, even if he could not offer supporters concrete names or details at this stage.

“I can’t go into specifics,” he added. “But we are making progress. I do think we’re getting closer. We’re definitely nearer now than we were.”

O’Neill also acknowledged the challenges that come with being questioned publicly about transfers while negotiations are ongoing. He admitted that while he enjoys speaking to the media, transfer-related questions can be uncomfortable due to the sensitivity of the process and the timing involved.

“I enjoy the conversations, I really do,” he said. “But I dread the transfer questions because these things don’t usually get resolved straight away. Often it’s not until later in the window, sometimes even the second or third of February.”

Despite that, the veteran manager sounded cautiously optimistic that Celtic supporters would soon see movement in the market. He indicated that the club is hopeful of bringing new players in sooner rather than later, potentially within the next week.

“I would be hoping that by some stage next week we would have people through the door,” O’Neill said, offering reassurance to fans growing impatient for signings.

Addressing Wilson’s situation more generally, O’Neill was quick to praise the striker’s quality, even while distancing Celtic from any firm interest. He described Wilson as a “very fine player” but suggested he had assumed the forward was bound for another destination.

“I hadn’t thought about that move at all,” he said. “Not because he’s not a very good player – he is – but I genuinely thought he was heading elsewhere.”

That assumption may be supported by further reports from the Scottish Sun, which claim that Wilson could be set for a move outside the UK altogether. According to the report, Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab are leading the race to sign the striker and are prepared to offer him a deal that would take him to the Middle East.

If that proves accurate, it would effectively rule out a move to Celtic and underline the competitive nature of the market for experienced forwards. Clubs from wealthier leagues and regions are often able to offer financial packages that Scottish sides struggle to match, particularly for players with Premier League pedigree.

For Celtic, the situation highlights the complexity of their search for attacking options. While the club are clearly prioritising the addition of a striker, they must balance experience, cost, availability, and long-term planning. O’Neill’s comments suggest that, while names like Wilson may be circulating in the media, Celtic’s actual targets may lie elsewhere.

As the transfer window moves into a decisive phase, clarity is expected to arrive quickly. Whether or not Wilson’s future is resolved in the coming days, Celtic fans will be watching closely for tangible progress, hopeful that the club’s pursuit of “elusive goal scorers” finally results in new arrivals before the window closes.