Lord Arthurson yesterday gave permission for 22 former Celtic Boys Club players to make a compensation claim.

Ian Mackay QC, for the men bringing the case, said that the boys club and Celtic FC were closely connected to one another. Celtic denies this claim.

Dean of Faculty, Roddy Dunlop QC, for Celtic, told the judge the case should not be allowed to proceed. He suggested the club would not get a “fair trial” as certain documents evidencing that the two entities were separate were missing.

Lord Arthurson said: “Having considered parties’ position on the supposed permission application, I am satisfied that the relevant criteria in granting this application has been established and I can exercise my discretion to grant the application.

“The common issue in the proceedings is the question of the vicarious liability of the defenders for the actions of these individuals. The court accordingly grants the permission application.”