Glow's Brian Matthews faced backlash online over the weekend after he posted an insensitive tweet about Phil O'Donnell.
Avid Rangers fan Brian, posted a series of tweets about Celtic and Rangers, and one in particular, touched a nerve with fans from both sides. The tweet read: "Celtic have injuries and suspensions with their team and are due to play in an old firm match in 2 days time.
"Sadly one of their ex-players pass away [Phil O'Donnell] (this is 2007, he played for them in 1999) Celtic get the old firm postponed. Every other match that day went ahead."
Phil O'Donnell sadly passed away after he collapsed on the pitch at Fir Park while playing against Dundee United on December 29, 2007.
In the thread of tweets, which has now been deleted, Brian insinuated that Celtic used Phil's death as an excuse not to play their rivals.
At the time, Phil's former team Celtic made a formal request to the SPL for the match against Rangers which was to be held four days later, to be called off, as staff and the team struggled to cope with the death of their former player. Walter Smith, who was in charge of Rangers at the time also backed the postponement.
The SPL approved the request and the game was postponed.
Brian's tweet has since been deleted and he has publicly apologised. He said: "Not my style to hurt or offend anyone. People who know me on both sides would agree I like the banter between rivals,I take it out and give it back I sincerely appologise for a tweet that was taken the wrong way I genuinely didn't think it through before tweeting Sorry to all."
But many fans were not impressed by his attempt to get one up on his rival team.
And when Twitter users put to Brian that it was respectful to postpone the game Brian replied: "Imo (in my opinion) would've been more befitting to play the game and all players wear black armbands and a minutes applause from everyone. Banners with his face/name on them. A video of his career etc on screens before match. I think many would agree."
And former Celtic player Tony Watt replied: "For context I'm sure his family were happy it was cancelled. If your ready to stoop that low for some retweets then you're nothing short of utterly pathetic...Regardless who you support or what your agenda is. This is f****** horrendous behaviour!"
One said: "Tell you what Brian I love you winding folk up and there’s a fair few hypocrites in their support. You give it and take it equally but I thought you were out of order with that Phil O’Donnell tweet. Good of you apologising, too many folk are too bitter to admit a mistake."
Another said: "Never bring the death of someone into football."
One added: "You sent a tweet about a young man, who had a young family, that died on the football field and you try to claim this insensitive tweet was banter."
Brian has made no secret of his dislike for Celtic and when he appeared on MTV show Just Tattoo Of Us, his girlfriend Victoria had a Celtic FC tattoo inked on his leg.
Just Tattoo of Us puts relationships to the test by getting partners to choose body art for each other.
The big reveal sent Brian into a meltdown as he realised the emblem of his rival football team was emblazoned right across his thigh.
Livid Brian said: “F**k no man, no!
“Not this.
“F**k sake, not a Celtic badge.”
