Celtic Football Club has paid a five-figure sum to settle a historic sexual abuse case brought by a former player. The settlement came just a month after legal proceedings began, with the victim claiming he was assaulted by coach Frank Cairney at Celtic Boys Club in 1989. The club initially denied liability but ultimately agreed to an out-of-court payment.

In a statement, the victim described the lasting psychological impact of the abuse, which he said has caused nearly 40 years of shame and confusion. He explained that abuse affects victims differently than physical injuries, with the mental trauma creating a paralyzing sense of shame. The man said he had previously reported the abuse to multiple authority figures who failed to take action.

Frank Cairney, now 90, was convicted in 2019 on nine charges of sexual abuse against boys and later found to have assaulted three additional victims between 1978 and 1989. The settlement represents a significant acknowledgment of responsibility by Celtic, which had previously claimed no connection to the boys club. The victim expressed pride in pursuing justice and encouraged others to continue fighting for accountability.