Associated Press Sports
updated 12:50 p.m. ET March 31, 2012
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -Two men were found guilty Friday of sending letter bombs to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two prominent fans of the Glasgow club.
Trevor Muirhead, 44, and Neil McKenzie, 42, were convicted of conspiracy to assault Lennon, Celtic-supporting Scottish lawmaker Trish Godman and the late Paul McBride, a lawyer who has represented Lennon.
Sentencing will take place next month.
The packages were intercepted before reaching their targets and did not explode.
The senior investigating officer from Strathclyde Police, detective chief superintendent John Cuddihy, said the two men had been found guilty of "the most cowardly and reckless of crimes."
"Muirhead and McKenzie's deplorable actions were motivated by hatred and today's prosecution sends out a strong message that this has no place in a modern Scottish society," Cuddihy said.
"Their actions certainly have nothing to do with football and everything to do with mindless hate."
The incidents happened in the weeks after a tumultuous Scottish Cup match between Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers in March 2011, when three Rangers players were sent off before Lennon and Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist became involved in a heated exchange after the final whistle.
The first parcel bomb targeting Lennon was found on March 4 and a second was intercepted at a sorting office outside Glasgow on March 26.
Another package destined for Godman was intercepted at her office two days later. A fourth package destined for McBride was intercepted in April.
"This has been a very stressful and difficult time for myself and my family and clearly I am glad that it is over," Lennon said in a statement on Celtic's website.
"I am sure I also speak for Trish and Paul's family when I say I am glad this period is over. This has been an ordeal which no-one should have to endure."
Muirhead and McKenzie were arrested last May following raids at several properties in Kilwinning, 30 miles southwest of Glasgow.
Matches between the two Glasgow rivals this season have increasingly been inflamed by sectarian tensions. While Celtic is traditionally supported by Irish Catholics, Rangers is mainly backed by Protestants.
? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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