Latest news with #ViljamiSinisalo
BBC News
20-06-2025
- BBC News
Man jailed for throwing bottle at Celtic keeper in Old Firm game
A man who threw a Buckfast bottle at Celtic's goalkeeper during an Old Firm game has been jailed for eight Watt, 34, launched the missile at Finnish international Viljami Sinisalo from a Rangers supporters section of Ibrox Stadium during the derby match on 4 Sheriff Court heard Watt initially threw a cigarette at Sinisalo after Celtic scored an equaliser against Rangers before then picking up the bottle and hurling it at the keeper as he celebrated the goal. The bottle was handed to police officers by a Rangers player and Watt, of Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, was later identified on CCTV due to his "distinctive white teeth". Watt pleaded guilty to assaulting Sinisalo and Sheriff Mark McGuire said his actions were not of a "fan" but a "vicious drunken hooligan."The sheriff added: "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."Sheriff McGuire told Watt that in the "febrile atmosphere" of the Old Firm game his actions could have sparked a was banned from all football matches for a period of six-and-a-half hearing was told that Watt had 21 previous convictions which include two football-related matters from 2013 and 2015, the latter of which saw him jailed for 10 months along with a three-year football ban. Drinking during the match The court heard that after Celtic striker Adam Idah scored in the game, there was a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check on the goal to see if it would be allowed to a two to three minute stoppage, the referee awarded the equalising goal to Leo McGinn said: "At that point, Mr Sinisalo turned back to his own goal towards the Rangers fans and pumped his fists."This sparked an angry reaction from the Rangers 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."The bottle was handed over to police officers by a Rangers substitute but the perpetrator was unknown at the time.A CCTV investigation was carried out by police the next day which identified Watt as being McGinn added: "He was seen to throw a lit cigarette in Mr Sinisalo's direction which had not been spotted by officers."Watt could be identified by his build and distinctive white teeth."Kevin Corr, defending Watt, said: "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-30s. There is no attempt to minimise or justify what happened."
Scottish Sun
20-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Thug Rangers fan who hurled Buckfast bottle at Celtic star jailed after being identified by ‘distinctive white teeth'
The bottle was later handed to police officers by a Rangers substitute LOCKED UP Thug Rangers fan who hurled Buckfast bottle at Celtic star jailed after being identified by 'distinctive white teeth' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A YOB who chucked a bottle at Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during a derby match with Rangers has been jailed for eight months. Andrew Watt, 34, launched the missile at the Finnish international at Ibrox Stadium on May 4 2025. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A bottle of Buckfast which was thrown onto the pitch by fans at Celtic's Viljami Sinisalo Credit: SNS 7 Viljami Sinisalo removes objects that were thrown on to the pitch. . 7 Andrew Watt was jailed for eight months after he admitted throwing a bottle Credit: Spindrift Rangers drew 1-1 with the Scottish Premiership champions that afternoon. Watt initially threw a cigarette at Mr Sinisalo after Celtic scored their equaliser through striker Adam Idah. He then picked up a half bottle of Buckfast and hurled it at the goalkeeper who celebrated the goal in front of the Rangers fans. The bottle was later handed to police officers by a Rangers substitute. Watt was identified the following day on CCTV due to his "distinctive white teeth." Watt pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Mr Sinisalo. Sheriff Mark McGuire told Watt, of Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, that his actions were not of a "fan" but a "vicious drunken hooligan." The sheriff added: "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. Rangers hero in with fans at Celtic game "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. 7 "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." Watt was also banned from all football matches for a period of six-and-a-half years. The court heard that after Adam Idah scored, there was a VAR check on the goal to see if it would be allowed. After a two to three minute stoppage, the referee awarded the equalising goal to Celtic. Prosecutor Leo McGinn said: "At that point, Mr Sinisalo turned back to his own goal towards the Rangers fans and pumped his fists. 7 Viljami Sinisalo celebrates the title win Credit: Kenny Ramsay "This sparked an angry reaction from the Rangers 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." The bottle was handed over to police officers by a Rangers substitute but the perpetrator was unknown at the time. A CCTV investigation was carried out by police the next day which identified Watt as being responsible. Mr McGinn added: "He was seen to throw a lit cigarette in Mr Sinisalo's direction which had not been spotted by officers. 7 "Watt could be identified by his build and distinctive white teeth." Watt later handed himself into police officers after he was aware that they were looking for him. Kevin Corr, defending, told the sentencing that Mr Sinisalo was "not gloating" before the assault took place. The lawyer added: "The stadium was tense at the time while the decision was being awarded. 7 "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 hearing was told that Watt has 21 previous convictions which include two football related matters from 2013 and 2015 the latter f which saw him jailed for 10 months with a three-year football ban. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel in huge retirement hint
His back-up keeper at Parkhead, Viljami Sinisalo, insisted last week he was desperate to eventually become No.1 with the Scottish champions. And Schmeichel has now admitted he would consider a return to his Danish homeland, where he's never played before. He said: "I would never turn down the possibility of playing in Denmark one day. "If the opportunity arose, I would always take it seriously and see if there were sporting advantages to it. "I've always thought that football is so unpredictable that you always have to take any possibilities seriously. Read more: "Every time I see a Danish team in Europe, they are always competitive. It's really rare that they get heavily beaten. "For me, British football has suited me well. My mentality was built in British football as a young man and that's where I've played the most."
The National
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel in huge retirement hint
The Celtic keeper has a year left of his Hoops deal, but turns 39 in November. His back-up keeper at Parkhead, Viljami Sinisalo, insisted last week he was desperate to eventually become No.1 with the Scottish champions. And Schmeichel has now admitted he would consider a return to his Danish homeland, where he's never played before. He said: "I would never turn down the possibility of playing in Denmark one day. "If the opportunity arose, I would always take it seriously and see if there were sporting advantages to it. "I've always thought that football is so unpredictable that you always have to take any possibilities seriously. Read more: "Every time I see a Danish team in Europe, they are always competitive. It's really rare that they get heavily beaten. "For me, British football has suited me well. My mentality was built in British football as a young man and that's where I've played the most."
The National
03-06-2025
- General
- The National
Every Celtic player away on international duty this month
A total of eight men will represent their countries across various competitions and continents. Read more: Here is every Celtic player away on international duty this month, and when their respective countries are due to play... Viljami Sinisalo - Finland Sinisalo has three Finland caps to his name. He will aim to build upon such a number this month when his nation take on the Netherlands on Saturday, June 7 at 7.45pm and then Poland on Tuesday, June 10, also at 7.45pm. Kasper Schmeichel - Denmark Schmeichel's Denmark have a duo of friendlies this month. They play Northern Ireland on Saturday, June before taking on Lithuania on Tuesday, June 10 at the same time. Anthony Ralston - Scotland Similarly to Denmark, the Scots have two practically meaningless games coming up. Iceland travel to Hampden on Friday, June 6 at 7.45pm before Steve Clarke's men head out to face Lichtenstein on Monday, June 9 at 5pm. Liam Scales and Adam Idah - Ireland Ireland welcome Senegal to Dublin on Friday, June 6 at 7.45pm and then travel to take on Luxembourg on Tuesday, June 10 at the same time. Luis Palma - Honduras Palma's was named in Honduras' provisional 60-man squad for this summer's Gold Cup. They are in Group B alongside Canada, El-Salvador and Curacao. They firstly face a duo of World Cup qualifies against the Cayman Islands on Saturday, June 7 at 8pm and Antigua and Barbuda on Wednesday, June 11 at 3am. Alistair Johnston - Canada Johnston's Canada take on Ukraine on Saturday, June 7 at 8pm before facing Ivory Coast on Wednesday, June 11 at 1.30am. That duo of friendlies prepares them for their respective Gold Cup campaign. Marco Tilio - Australia The Aussies take on Japan and Saudi Arabia in World Cup qualifies this month. Tilio's nation welcome the former to Perth on Thursday, June 5 at 12.10pm before taking on the latter away from home on Tuesday, June 10 at 7.15pm. Paulo Bernardo - Portugal under-21s The midfielder will play for his country's under-21s at the under-21 Euros in Slovakia. Portugal are in Group C, alongside France, Poland and Georgia. Their group games are as follows: vs France - Wednesday, June 11 at 8pm vs Poland - Saturday, June 14 at 8pm vs Georgia - Tuesday, June 17 at 5pm
