“No alternative to a custodial sentence,” Ibrox bottle thrower jailed

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·20. Juni 2025

“No alternative to a custodial sentence,” Ibrox bottle thrower jailed

TheRangers supporter who threw a half bottle of Buckfast at Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, at Ibrox in May, has today been jailed for his actions after being caught, in part at least, due to ‘his distinctive white teeth’…

Adam Idah celebrates scoring at Ibrox to level the score at 1-1. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Perhaps he got his gnashers done when he was over in Turkey when theRangers played Fenerbahce last season. He certainly looks like a lad who takes pride in how he presents himself!

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Andrew Watt, 34 was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting the Celtic goalkeeper, as it also came to light Watt had 21 previous convictions. With two of those previous convictions being for ‘football related matters from 2013 and 2015’.

The last of those convictions had previously seen Watt jailed for 10 months, with a three-year football ban. He’s a charmer alright.

Rangers substitute Neraysho Kasanwirjo runs on to the pitch to throw items off the pitch that appear to have been thrown into the Celtic penalty area during the second half of the match. theRangers v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Ibrox. Sunday 04 May 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

It was claimed Watt had originally thrown a cigarette at the Celtic goalkeeper, just after Adam Idah scored Celtic’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw, and then proceeded to pick up a half bottle of Buckfast and throw it at the Celtic goalkeeper as he dared to celebrate Celtic’s leveller when it was eventually confirmed after a VAR check.

It was also reported by Scottish Sun that an Ibrox player handed the bottle over to the Police.

Their offensive tifo at Ibrox. Photo social media. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025.

Sheriff Mark McGuire told Watt, of Rutherglen:

Your motive was victim blaming. You came to throw a bottle after he celebrated his team scoring an equaliser. That is his job – you victim was doing his job – the man was at his work.

In what possible world could you or anyone else think it is acceptable to throw a bottle at someone at his work? Had the bottle hit him, the consequences could have been catastrophic, career ending or worse.In a febrile atmosphere in a stadium which holds over 50,000 people, your actions could have sparked a riot.

It was not just an assault on Mr Sinisalo – what you did could have endangered everyone man, woman and child that afternoon. In all the circumstances, to punish you and deter others from acting like you did and to protect the public, I am satisfied there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.

Viljami Sinisalo. at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Watt also received a six and a half year banning order, from all football matches, which perhaps seems a bit lenient given the offence.

Prosecutor McGinn stated:

At that point, Mr Sinisalo turned back to his own goal towards theRangers fans and pumped his fists. This sparked an angry reaction from theRangers fans behind the goal and a half bottle of Buckfast was thrown in his direction.The bottle did not strike him but landed on the field of play. He was seen to throw a lit cigarette in Mr Sinisalo’s direction which had not been spotted by officers.

VAR decision at Ibrox for their offside goal. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Watt could be identified by his build and distinctive white teeth.

It was also reported that Watt eventually handed himself into Police, after he heard Police were looking for him.

He probably knew with those teeth, he couldn’t even hide in the dark.

And spare a thought for the poor solicitor who had to try and fashion a defence for this violent muppet.

Kevin Corr defending, went with the ‘he was not gloating’ approach, before hoping the fact his client had drank some of the contents of the bottle might offer some hope of leniency from the judge. A valiant effort.

Kevin Corr said:

The stadium was tense at the time while the decision was being awarded. My client had been consuming alcohol on the morning off the game and continued drinking during the match. It was not a full half bottle of Buckfast as it was in the second half of the match. He knows that this is the behaviour of someone in their teens rather than someone in his mid-thirties – there is no attempt to minimise or justify what happened.

The sentence handed out will surely act as a deterrent in future, you would think, after all it is about time someone tried to put some sense into the minds of the Ibrox support, but in truth I wouldn’t hold my breath.

The Celtic Board and guests at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Meanwhile as Watt starts his first night of eight months behind bars, you wonder just how many inmates will welcome him to his new abode by rattling their toothbrushes as he makes his way down the landing.

Celtic are back at Ibrox at the end of August, hopefully today’s courtroom news will act as the deterrent needed to cut out this violence that has repeatedly been shown at the stadium purchased by their founding father Charles Green every time Celtic visit.

We can only hope.

Niall J

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