A FOOTBALLER who coughed at police officers after claiming he had coronavirus went on an anti-Scottish tirade of abuse.

James Hurst, 28, flew into a rage in the garden of his lover’s home in Glasgow’s Drumchapel in April this year.

The former West Brom and Portsmouth defender initially contacted the police claiming to be the victim of domestic abuse.

Hurst later claimed the matter was resolved but officers became aware of a possible outstanding warrant against him.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard angry Hurst yelled: “Get my lawyer first.”

The ex-England youth international was told to calm down.

But, he ranted: “I don’t need to tell you anything, just f*** off, you work for me, you’re Scottish slaves so f*** off.”

Hurst was soon arrested.

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Prosecutor Mark Allan said: “He immediately stated ‘I’ve got Covid, I’m going to cough and spit all over you’.

“At that point he began to cough in the faces of both officers as they were placing handcuffs on him.

“As he did this, he shouted ‘Have that’.”

Hurst also branded an officer a “Scottish bitch.”

Mr Allan added: “He said he is from the Queen’s country and all Scottish are slaves to him.”

Hurst repeatedly threatened to spit on the officers and continued to hurl abuse.

He said: “You are not the law, you are civilians in uniform, Queen’s country rules, you live in Scottish slums, I am superior.”

He challenged an officer to a fight while stating “Scottish p**** I’m not going to go lightly.”

Hurst repeated claims he had Covid.

He is now behind bars after he pleaded guilty today to acting in a threatening or abusive manner towards the officers.

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Keith Tuck, defending, told the court Hurst, who now plays for non-league Hednesford Town, has aspirations of becoming a player/manager on his release.

He added: "He is a man who in the past has had a successful career as a professional footballer and has qualifications in football as a coach in England."

Sentence was deferred until the end of the month for background reports by Sheriff Tony Kelly.

Hurst was remand in custody meantime.