A University of Glasgow graduate who threatened to shoot Hibernian manager Neil Lennon has been given a community payback order and electronically tagged.

Rangers fan Sean Cowan, 54, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, wrote on the Facebook page of Rangers fan site 'Follow Follow:' “Somebody give me a weapon and I will shoot this little terrorist c**t in the head with impunity.

He also boasted that he could get his hands on a gun.

It came after the former Celtic manager cupped his ears in celebration toward the main stand at Ibrox during a 3-2 victory for the Edinburgh side against Rangers on August 12.

Cowan admitted breaching the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.

When cautioned and charged  by officers, Cowan said: “I’m disgusted” and repeatedly apologised.

Charlie McCusker, defending, said Cowan was an alcoholic, who whilst clearly an intelligent man had let himself down. He added: “He has asked me to publicly apologise to Neil Lennon."

Sheriff Craig Harris ordered him to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work. Cowan will be subject to a curfew for three months.  He said: “These were vile messages. I have no doubt they would have caused any reasonable person reading them alarm."