A MAN is to stand trial at the end of this month accused of attacking Glasgow Celtic manager Neil Lennon during a match last season.
John Wilson (26), from Edinburgh, is alleged to have assaulted Lennon as his side played Hearts in a Scottish Premier League game at Tynecastle stadium in Edinburgh.
He is accused of lunging at Lennon and seizing him around the neck during the fixture on May 11th.
Prosecutors claim the alleged assault, and a separate charge of breach of the peace, were both aggravated by religious prejudice.
Mr Wilson appeared before a short hearing at Edinburgh sheriff court, where his trial was fixed for the court sitting beginning on August 29th.
It is alleged that Mr Wilson committed a breach of the peace by acting in a disorderly manner, running on to the field of play and running at the away team dugout.
It is also claimed he was shouting and swearing and made a sectarian remark “all to the alarm and annoyance of others” and causing more disturbance within the crowd.
The assault charge against him alleges that he lunged at former Northern Ireland player Lennon at Tynecastle and seized him around the neck.
Both alleged offences are said to have been aggravated by religious prejudice, under the terms of the 2003 Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act. Mr Wilson denies the charges.
Advocate David Nicholson, representing Mr Wilson, told the court that the defence team was prepared and ready for the trial.
After hearing brief submissions, Sheriff Alistair Noble continued the case to the trial.