Celtic fan John Hatton can consider himself fortunate that he escaped a jail term for invading the pitch during a crucial European Champions League game in Glasgow last month and trying to kick a player from the Paris St-Germain club.
Hatton (21), from Portadown, was instead ordered to complete 160 hours of community service after a judge at a Glasgow court yesterday took into account that he had a clear record and was already involved in voluntary work.
He could easily have faced a much heavier sentence, but it is also the case that he has been publicly branded as a drunken hooligan for his antics at Celtic Park.
Hatton was further banned from attending all football matches for the next four years, and his unacceptable actions could yet have serious consequences for the club he supports, so it must be hoped that his punishment will act as a firm deterrent to others.
