A FOOTBALL star has admitted attacking two police officers after they had tried to arrest him.
Paul McGowan, 26, who plays for SPFL side St Mirren, wildly kicked out at two police officers after he was held in a late night row.
The midfielder was handcuffed and taken from a street in his hometown of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire.
McGowan then attacked Pc Edward Gilmartin and Sergeant Tony Fitzpatrick who had been sent to deal with the disturbance involving him on August 11.
Yesterday, McGowan appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court where he admitted kicking Pc Gilmartin and repeatedly kicking Sgt Fitzpatrick. McGowan pled not guilty to acting in a threatening and abusive manner in Wheatholm Street, Airdrie, and at Coatbridge Police Office, and to kicking Special Constable Martine McNee accepted by prosecutors.
A brief hearing before Sheriff Petra Collins saw McGowan confirm he was pleading guilty to two charges of police assault.
Sheriff Collins said : "I am not going to deal with your case today given the nature of the charges you have pled guilty to and the fact you have an analogous previous conviction.
"I am calling for a criminal justice social work report, which will look at sentencing options including supervision and unpaid work."
Sentence was deferred until January 8.
Outside court McGowan said: "My manager has told me not to speak to anyone about it."
A spokesman for St Mirren declined to comment.
McGowan was a product of the Celtic youth system and made his first team debut against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in September 2007.
He also played in a Champions League match against Spanish club Villarreal.
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