Rangers fan jailed for 16 months over Old Firm pitch invasion

Jordan Hadden sentenced for encouraging mass pitch invasion and throwing bottle at opposing fans

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A Rangers fan who waved fellow supporters onto the pitch and threw a bottle that narrowly missed a police officer has been jailed for 16 months and handed an eight-year football ban.

Jordan Hadden, 28, of Tollcross in Glasgow, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner, breach of the peace, and culpable and reckless conduct.

The incident took place on 8 March following Rangers' Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat to city rivals Celtic on penalties. After Celtic fans initially entered the pitch from the Broomloan Road stand, Hadden, who was in the Copeland Road stand, overcame security barriers and entered the field. He was seen turning to the crowd and waving his arms repeatedly, appearing to encourage other Rangers fans to join him.

Hadden then crossed the pitch and approached a police cordon. He picked up an orange bottle and threw it towards the Celtic fans. Prosecutor Abbas Ali told the court that the bottle narrowly missed a police officer, who was forced to take evasive action to avoid being struck.

"An unknown police officer was seen to take evasive action to avoid being struck with the bottle which narrowly avoided hitting the officer," Mr Ali said.

Hadden became lost in the crowd but was later identified by CCTV, including footage from broadcaster Premier Sports.

Defending, John McLaughlin told the court his client was under the influence of alcohol, which affected his recall of the events. He said Hadden had "got caught up in a fertile atmosphere" and picked up the bottle in "the spur of the moment".

"In the cold light of day, he knows his behaviour was extremely reckless and dangerous and could have caused an injury," Mr McLaughlin said. "He is fortunate no one was struck."

Sentencing Hadden, Sheriff Lorraine Glancy KC said: "Had the officer not seen the bottle and taken evasive action, he could have been struck on the head with it. Officers that day kept fans separate, preventing disorder and are to be commended for their bravery and professionalism. I consider that a prison sentence is appropriate to deter others from behaving in this way and to reflect the public's disapproval for behaviour like this at football matches."

Hadden was also served with an eight-year football ban.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The sentence sends a clear deterrent message that pitch invasions and throwing objects at matches carry serious criminal consequences, including immediate imprisonment.
It demonstrates the effectiveness of modern surveillance methods, including police CCTV and broadcast footage, in identifying and prosecuting individuals involved in mass disorder.
The severity of the punishment reflects the judiciary's zero-tolerance stance on violence and reckless behaviour that endangers police officers and the public.

Background

The Old Firm fixture between Rangers and Celtic is one of the most intense rivalries in world football and has a history of crowd trouble. The Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on 8 March led to widespread pitch invasions by fans from both sides after the final whistle, drawing strong condemnation from Police Scotland and political leaders. Jordan Hadden was identified and prosecuted as part of the investigation into the disorder.

Key Perspectives

Sheriff Lorraine Glancy KC: The sentencing sheriff emphasised the danger posed by the thrown bottle, noting a police officer could have been struck on the head. She imposed the jail term to act as a deterrent and to reflect public disapproval, while separately praising the bravery and professionalism of officers on duty that day.

Defence lawyer John McLaughlin: The defence argued that Hadden's judgement was impaired by alcohol and the emotionally charged atmosphere of the high-stakes cup match. He characterised the bottle throw as a spur-of-the-moment action not directed at any individual, and stressed that Hadden now recognises his behaviour was extremely reckless.

Prosecutor Abbas Ali: The prosecution laid out a detailed sequence of events, describing how Hadden deliberately entered the pitch, encouraged other fans to follow, and directly approached a police line before throwing the bottle.

What to Watch

Whether further charges are brought against other individuals identified on CCTV taking part in the pitch invasion.
The response from Rangers Football Club regarding potential stadium bans or disciplinary action against the supporter.
Possible impact on security and policing arrangements for future Old Firm matches to prevent a repeat of the March disorder.

Sources

Rangers fan who encouraged mass pitch invasion at Old Firm jailed · STV News
Rangers fan jailed for encouraging Old Firm pitch invasion · BBC Scotland

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedHadden was jailed for 16 months over the pitch invasion.BBC Scotland: “A Rangers fan who encouraged fans to take part in a mass pitch invasion after a defeat to Celtic has been jailed for 16 months”
SupportedHadden was sentenced for encouraging a mass pitch invasion and throwing a bottle at opposing fans.BBC Scotland: “A Rangers fan who encouraged fans to take part in a mass pitch invasion after a defeat to Celtic has been jailed for 16 months and given an eight-year football ban. Jordan Hadden waved fellow supporters onto the field at Ibrox”
SupportedThe bottle Hadden threw narrowly missed a police officer.BBC Scotland: “The 28-year-old also threw a bottle towards Celtic fans which narrowly missed a police officer.”
SupportedHadden was 28, from Tollcross in Glasgow, and pleaded guilty to three offences.BBC Scotland: “He previously pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to conducting himself in a disorderly manner, committing breach of the peace and culpable and reckless conduct.”
SupportedThe incident followed Rangers’ Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat to Celtic on penalties on 8 March.STV News: “Rangers had just been beaten by city rivals Celtic on penalties in a Scottish Cup quarter-final tie.”
SupportedHadden entered the pitch after overcoming security barriers and waved his arms to encourage Rangers fans to join him.BBC Scotland: “Hadden was seen to turn to the crowd and wave the Rangers fans and appeared to encourage them to enter the pitch by waving his arms repeatedly”
SupportedProsecutor Abbas Ali said, “An unknown police officer was seen to take evasive action to avoid being struck with the bottle which narrowly avoided hitting the officer.”BBC Scotland: “Ali added: “An unknown police officer was seen to take evasive action to avoid being struck with the bottle which narrowly avoided hitting the officer.””
SupportedCCTV including footage from Premier Sports was used to identify Hadden.STV News: “The CCTV, which included footage from broadcaster Premier Sports, was played to the court in which Hadden was clearly identified.”
SupportedHadden’s lawyer said alcohol affected his recall of events.BBC Scotland: “John McLaughlin, defending, told the court that his client was under the influence of alcohol which affected his recall of events.”
SupportedDefence lawyer John McLaughlin said Hadden had “got caught up in a fertile atmosphere” and acted in “the spur of the moment”.BBC Scotland: “He added that Hadden had picked up the bottle in the “spur of the moment””
SupportedSheriff Lorraine Glancy KC said the officer could have been struck on the head if he had not taken evasive action.STV News: “Had the officer not seen the bottle and taken evasive action, he could have been struck on the head with it.”
SupportedHadden was given an eight-year football ban.STV News: “Hadden was also given an eight-year football ban.”