Celtic takes legal advice as Talk Radio host Mike Graham calls Hoops 'the paedo's club'

In a now deleted tweet, Talk Radio host Mike Graham posted to his 76,000 followers that Celtic was “the paedo’s football club”. 

It came after the host became embroiled in a row after over comments he made regarding decisions made by the Government over a lack of quarantine for people returning to UK airports.

When asked by Twitter user John O’Connell why he didn’t criticise the government, Mr Graham repeatedly referred to him as “Paddy”, sparking claims online of anti-Irish racism.

After being called out for the “unacceptable” comments by a Twitter user @TheEssexHoops, the host replied: “Celtic. The paedo’s football club”.

Former Celtic and Scotland player Simon Donnelly led calls for Mr Graham, to take back his comments.

He said: “I hope you sober up, reclaim your brain and apologise.”

Another twitter user added: “Does this tweet intimate that every single Celtic worker and fan is or sympathises with paedophiles? Is this tweet libellous?”

But the host was having none of it, replying: “Why Simon? 

“Don’t you think the victims of sex crime shouldn’t be forgotten?

“Shocking that you ain’t engaging on this and hiding it.”

Mr Graham, a previous editor of the Scottish Daily Mirror and assistant editor of the Daily Express, now hosts the 10am-1pm Talk Radio slot after replacing Julia Hartley-Brewer in January 2018.

Replying to his tweet, another Hoops fan wrote: “Using child abuse and racist slurs to point score with football fans.

“Your comments are disgusting. I hope Talk Sport and Celtic will take action against your unprofessional behaviour”. 

Mike Graham (Talk Radio)

Mr Graham replied: “What is unprofessional exactly?”

A spokesman for Celtic Football Club said: “We have been made aware of these pathetic comments and have taken legal advice. 

“We understand the tweet has now been removed.

“We do not believe this matter or the individual concerned is worthy of any further comment.”

In February, Celtic issued an apology to the victims of historic sex abuse within both the club and the Celtic Boy’s Club.

The Club hit out at the "abhorrent crime" as they try to "confirm its position" in light of recent speculation.

Four men associated with Celtic or the boys' club – including Jim Torbett and Frank Cairney – were convicted of historical sex abuse against children.

In May last year, former Celtic Boys Club coach and kitman James McCafferty, 73, was jailed for six years and nine months after he admitted preying on ten teenage boys between 1972 and 1996.

Three months earlier, in February, former Boys Club manager Frank Cairney was jailed for four years after being convicted of nine charges of sexually abusing young footballers.

In November 2018, Boys' Club founder Jim Torbett, 71, was jailed for six years after a judge ruled he used the football team as a "recruiting ground" to prey on boys.

And in December that year, former Boys' Club chairman Gerald King, 66, was also found guilty of sexually abusing four boys and a girl while working as a teacher. 

At the time, A Celtic statement read:  "Celtic Football Club is appalled by any form of historic abuse and has great sympathy for those who suffered abuse and for their families. The Club is very sorry that these events took place. 

"The abuse of young people is an abhorrent crime. Unfortunately it has affected many areas of society."

The Glasgow Times has contacted Talk Radio for comment.