RANGERS stars Maurice Edu and Kyle Bartley told a court they were "intimidated" and "shocked" by racist tweets they received.

The players - who have since left the club - were sent the vile messages from Michael Convery on Twitter after a game against St Johnstone in Perth on January 14, 2012.

Bartley, 22, said he found the messages "intimidating" and thought that "society had got over these sorts of comments".

American footballer Edu, 27, described feeling shocked on seeing the messages he had been sent.

They both gave evidence at the trial of Michael Convery, 43, from Linthouse, Glasgow, who was yesterday convicted at Glasgow Sheriff Court of sending racist remarks on Twitter to the players.

None of the messages were read out in full in open court.

But it was heard that Bartley was sent a direct comment from Convery and mentioned in a second one and Edu was sent two direct comments.

Procurator fiscal depute Jonathan Kemp asked Bartley how he felt on receiving them and he said: "I just felt a little bit hurt and disappointed really.

"Obviously I don't know Michael Convery, I didn't understand why he would have so much hate for me."

Sheriff Valerie Johnston and found Convery guilty and deferred sentence until next month.