Rangers Coach Sacked In 80s Over Behaviour

5 December 2016, 15:43 | Updated: 5 December 2016, 17:19

Rangers has confirmed a former youth coach was sacked following an allegation of inappropriate behaviour towards a teenage player.

Gordon Neely was a youth coach at Rangers in the 1980s when police were contacted over the claims made by the player and the club said he was "dismissed immediately''.

Hibernian has said it would "co-operate with any investigation'' after further claims emerged in the Scottish Sun newspaper regarding Neely allegedly abusing young players at a training camp before he joined Rangers.

Talent scout Mr Neely was a youth coach who worked at Rangers for more than three years after leaving Hibernian in 1986.

Following his dismissal, his career is said to have stalled. He died from cancer two years ago, aged 62.

In a statement, the club said: "Rangers is now aware of an alleged incident involving an individual who worked very briefly for the club more than 25 years ago.

"It's understood the individual was dismissed immediately and that the police were informed.

"Rangers wishes to stress that all employees adhere to the strictest codes of conduct, especially when dealing with children and young people.

"Rangers have not been approached by Police Scotland or any authority regarding this allegation.''

A Hibernian spokesman said: "We have not been contacted or made aware of the allegations but clearly this matter is of great concern and we will co-operate with any investigation to the fullest extent.''

The incident emerged as police across the country probe allegations of historical sex abuse in football.

Police Scotland confirmed last week it had received reports in relation to historic child abuse.