A RANGERS fan who made monkey gestures at Celtic winger Scott Sinclair has dodged jail.

Paul Kenny appeared from custody before Sheriff Brian Cameron who told him he is now known as a racist "all over the world".

The 28-year-old had previously pleaded guilty and on Tuesday appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing for an offence contrary to the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

Kenny, from Girvan, made the monkey gesture at Ibrox Stadium when Sinclair scored a penalty during the 5-1 Celtic win on April 29.

He was captured on camera and later identified from social media.

Sheriff Cameron told Kenny: "You are now known as a bigot and a racist, not just by people in the west of Scotland, but by people all over the world who saw that."

The sheriff then handed Kenny a community payback order with 100 hours unpaid work, reduced from 150 hours due to his guilty plea, and an 18 month football banning order.

Fellow football fan David McLellan also faced Sheriff Cameron, having admitted running onto the pitch and confronting Celtic's Scott Brown.

McLellan, from Irvine, had to be held back by other players as he behaved aggressively towards Brown in the sixth minute of the game when Celtic was awarded a penalty.

Defence lawyer Emma Skett told the court: "This gentleman found himself on the pitch but realised his stupidity and then removed himself from the pitch."

Ms Skett added that McLellan, from Irvine, expresses "regret and remorse" for his actions.

The court heard McLellan's partner gave birth to their second child on May 11 and said the 23-year-old's focus is now on his family.

He has also passed his driving test, which had to be cancelled as he was held in custody following the Old Firm match, and is hoping this will help him find employment.

Ms Skett said her client had faced serious online abuse and internet trolling and his "significant criminal history" had been publicised, to the embarrassment of his family.

Sheriff Cameron said he was "persuaded to step away from custody" and instead gave McLellan 140 hours of unpaid work and an 18 month football banning order.

Glasgow Sheriff Court also heard a third Rangers fan, Steven Morrison, sang sectarian lyrics during the April 29 Old Firm game.

Morrison, from Pollok, was standing near to police officers when he sang: "F**k the Pope and the IRA".

Sheriff Cameron was told Morrison had earlier been asked by officers to calm down but failed to heed the warning.

He was arrested and spent the weekend in custody.

The court heard Morrison is "ashamed" of his actions. His defence lawyer said: "He has an autistic son who spent the weekend wondering where his father was.

"He has also let down his father."

The lawyer added: "My client was carried away on a wave of emotion. His father had suggested they move from the ground on to a local hostelry and he did not heed that advice.

"Glasgow Rangers has not been in touch with him and that is a shame as he is a life long fan."

The court was told Morrison's father is confined to a wheelchair and relies on his son to take him to games.

The 30-year-old has been given an indefinite ban by Rangers Football Club and so his father also cannot attend matches.

Sheriff Cameron asked Morrison: "How stupid was that?" "Very stupid, your honour," he replied.

Morrison was fined £280.