We will fight and we'll win'

Solicitors fire warning to club as class action looms

- SARAH VESTY

LAWYERS for Celtic FC have been accused of "sticking two fingers up" at sex abuse survivors ahead of a "showdown" hearing next month.

It is understood that legal briefs for the Parkhead side are set to argue that too much time has passed to allow them to get a fair trial after a class action suit was brought against them.

Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, representing about 25 people who have made allegations of historic abuse by Celtic Boys Club officials, say they will fight that claim "robustly".

The plan of action for the Court of Session hearing in June was hashed out at a case meeting last week. Celtic previously said it was "appalled by any form of historic abuse" but maintained it is a "separate entity" to the boys club.

Four men associated with Celtic Boys Club or Celtic have been convicted.

Patrick McGuire, a partner at Thompson Solicitors, said: "I don't say this lightly but it's frankly outrageous that Celtic's lawyers think that this is an appropriate defence to run.

"We have a piece of legislation that was introduced by the Scottish Parliament that removed the normal time bar rules for the benefit of survivors of historic abuse who want to bring forward a claim for compensation.

"So the time bar no longer applies except for under very exceptional circumstances.