Key Points
- A new complainant alleges sexual assault by former Celtic Boys Club coach Frank Cairney around 1989 when he was 14 years old.
- Celtic FC faces ongoing group legal action from survivors of historical sexual abuse at Celtic Boys Club in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
- Thompsons Solicitors represents survivors in a class action lawsuit, with test cases launched in 2021 following criminal convictions of club figures.
- A judge granted permission for 22 former players to pursue a compensation claim against Celtic FC, which denies close connection to the boys’ club.
- Around 70 per cent of cases have settled for a seven-figure sum exceeding £1 million, with more settlements expected.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 11, 2026 – Celtic Football Club confronts renewed legal proceedings over allegations of historical sexual abuse at its affiliated boys’ club, with a fresh claim from a survivor accusing former coach Frank Cairney of assaulting him at age 14 in 1989.
The group action, mounted under new Scottish laws, unites multiple survivors who suffered abuse while playing for Celtic Boys Club, as represented by Thompsons Solicitors Scotland. Celtic maintains the club was a separate entity and has not acknowledged liability, despite criminal convictions of figures including founder Jim Torbett, Frank Cairney and Jim McCafferty.
What is the latest legal development against Celtic?
Sky News reports a man is pursuing fresh legal action, claiming sexual assault by Frank Cairney around 1989. This adds to an unprecedented class action lawsuit by survivors from the 1970s to 90s, described by Thompsons partner Patrick McGuire as unique in Europe for its scale.
As reported by Patrick McGuire of Thompsons Solicitors, Celtic’s denial raises critical issues of fact and law applicable to all claimants, with test cases filed in June 2021 after police investigations into further allegations.
How has Celtic responded to the abuse claims?
Celtic FC denies any close connection to Celtic Boys Club and has settled around 70 per cent of cases for more than £1 million, according to Scottish Legal News and Thompsons Solicitors. Further settlements are anticipated in coming weeks, though the club has not accepted responsibility.
What do independent reviews say?
The Independent Review into Sexual Abuse in Scottish Football, chaired by Martin Henry, states it is beyond doubt that Celtic could not be separated from the boys’ club, urging the club to accept responsibility, as covered by Scottish Legal News.
What are the next steps in the proceedings?
A judge in the Outer House granted permission for 22 former players to launch a group compensation claim, with six more victims seeking to join. Patrick McGuire warns of multi-million pound claims if Celtic fails to acknowledge liability, per Thompsons Solicitors and Scottish Legal News.
Thompsons urges other survivors to contact its dedicated team, as the action proceeds in the Court of Session.
