Former youth footballer sues Celtic

Thompsons Solicitors has sent papers on behalf of a client seeking damages from the club.

Celtic has said that while it has historic contacts with the boys’ club, the two organisations are separate.

The firm represents more than 20 boys who allege they suffered abuse at the club during the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

The case is the first to be brought to court and will be heard in the Court of Session.

The law firm has said the club is responsible for the abuse its clients suffered.

Celtic said in February that it was “very sorry that these events took place” but has emphasised that the two organisations are separate.

Chief executive Peter Lawwell said last year that the club was conducting its own investigations into the alleged abuse at the boys’ club, with a “wholly independent and experienced lawyer” leading the work.

Patrick McGuire, of Thompsons Solicitors, said the new legal proceedings were “hugely significant”.

He said: “One the best known and celebrated football clubs in the world is now going to be held to account in civil court for decades of the most abhorrent sexual abuse of children.

“These young lads and their families put their complete trust in Celtic and their feeder organisation Celtic Boys’ Club.

“That trust was betrayed over four decades by a succession of paedophiles that operated openly within Celtic.”