"I appreciate fully that this experience may well have put a major, and understandable, loathing for (hopefully only a section of) Hearts' fans in a fan of another team who has been picked out not because he supports another team, but because his skin tone is darker than another's, and we just hope that not only at Tynecastle, but within Scottish Society, we can take a much firmer stance to ensure that all Scottish people, visitors to Scotland, and people seeking a new life in this country, whatever their ethnic background may be, much, much more can be done to educate and eliminate this conduct.
To that end I would have great delight in extending an invitation to this gentleman to join Myself and some friends at the next visit of Celtic F.C. as my guest, and see that there is a major part of our famous old club that is steeped in a history that the mindless and unwelcome portions would so well to read about and see that we do not, and have never, stood for this kind of behaviour.
The offer is not made lightly, I have concerns that he may feel inclined to avoid the ground like the plague in future (and I wouldn't blame him), and indeed that our own fans may again let us down, but I hope not.
The Celtic Supporters Association have taken the matter up and will be taking the Matter to the Edinburgh Police and to Celtic F.C .Peter Lawell will be informed of the details later today and we await his response
The Celtic Supporters Association have taken the matter up and will be taking the Matter to the Edinburgh Police and to Celtic F.C .Peter Lawell will be informed of the details later today and we await his response