AN “idiot” Rangers fan who threw a coin at a linesman during a football match has been hit with a huge fine and banned from football matches for two years.

Stuart McGaughay looked shamefaced and embarrassed as he pled guilty to striking assistant referee Calum Spence on the head to his injury.

Although the 30-year-old’s cowardly attack was caught on live TV by cameras filming Livingston FC’s 1-0 win over the Old Firm club at the Tony Macaroni Arena in West Lothian, he at first denied the charge.

But after he pled guilty at Livingston Sheriff Court today it emerged he handed himself in to the police shortly after the incident.

When charged with injuring the linesman he replied: “I didn't mean it. There was no intention, but I understand.”

Glasgow Times:

The referee suffered a cut to his head

Read more: Ref assaulted during Rangers v Livingston clash prompts police probe

The linesman had his back to the crowd of Rangers supporters during the match on Sunday, September 13, when he felt something strike the back of his head.

He suffered a 5mm cut to the back of his head but did not require medical treatment.

TV viewers watching the game saw the linesman appear to stumble before clutching the back of his head in pain.

Followers of the Ibrox outfit later rounded on McGaughay, of Deeds Street, Airdrie, via social media, blasting the "idiot" and “absolute numpty” for his stupidity.

Donna Maitland, defending, said the experience of being charged and prosecuted had been “an eye opener” for McGaughay.

Sheriff Peter Hammond fined McGaughay £900 and barred him from attending or watching football games in commercial premises.