A RANGERS fan who launched a glass bottle from the crowd that narrowly missed a police officer at the Europa League match against Villarreal last year has been spared jail.

Nicholas Walker, 20, admitted assaulting police officer Gary Montgomerie at the match on November 29, 2018, at Ibrox Stadium, that ended goalless.

He was given a community payback order at Glasgow Sheriff Court with the condition he must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work within three months.

The court heard that, while police were removing fellow fan Paul Cairney from the pitch, items were thrown by fans.

Walker, from Airdrie, was spotted on CCTV throwing the bottle.

He was stopped by police as he was leaving the stadium and admitted: “That was stupid.”

The court heard he apologised for his actions.

Cairney, 26, also pleaded guilty when he appeared from custody after the game.

He admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner at Ibrox on November 29, leaving his seat in the stand, entering the pitch and breaching the peace.

Cairney, from Livingston, will be sentenced later this month.