Celtic star Hartley's car targeted by thieves

Dec 4 2008 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

ANOTHER Lanarkshire-based Celtic star has been targeted by thieves.

They broke into Paul Hartley’s car and stole six pairs of football boots valued at £600.

It happened a short time after a man was sent to jail for breaking into the Bothwell home of Hartley’s boss at Celtic Park, Gordon Strachan.

The 31-year-old midfielder’s £50,000 five-series BMW had been left outside his luxury flat in the Wellhall area of Hamilton.

He parked the car on Friday and discovered thieves had struck when he went to use the vehicle on Monday morning.

Neighbours say the theft could have occurred on Saturday afternoon while the former Holy Cross High pupil was playing for Celtic in their 1-0 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Parkhead.

Police would only confirm that they were probing a break-in at a car parked in the driveway of a house in Hamilton last week.

A spokesman said: “A number of pairs of football boots were stolen. We would be keen to hear from anyone who is offered for sale cheap football boots.”

Paul was brought up in Hamilton and played for top boys team Mill United before joining Hamilton Accies.

He had spells at Millwall, Hibs and Hearts and in January, 2007, sealed a dream move to boyhood heroes Celtic.

In May last year, burglar John Black broke into Gordon Strachan’s Bothwell home and, as the Celtic boss slept, stole bank cards and electronic gadgets including cameras, a computer console and an iPod.

The 30-year-old appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday and was sentenced to two years’ jail for the raid on the Celtic gaffer’s home.

He received consecutive jail terms for a number of other offences. (Turn to page 32 for full story on Black’s court appearance).

Paul Hartley and Gordon Strachan are not the first Lanarkshire-based Celts to be targeted by thieves.

In March, 2005, Swede Magnus Hedman, then a goalkeeper with the club, had a £50,000 Audi stolen from outside his then £½m Bothwell home.

It was used in three smash-and-grab raids at a shop in Larkhall and at service stations on the M74 at Hamilton and Bothwell.

lAnyone with information about the football boots theft should contact Hamilton Police on 01698 483300.