THE two men convicted of a plot to bomb the Celtic manager and several prominent supporters of the club are appealing their convictions.

Trevor Muirhead and Neil McKenzie have instructed their legal teams to challenge the guilty verdicts they were handed in March.

It is understood papers have been lodged with the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh but a date has yet to be set for any appeal hearing.

Muirhead, from Kilwinning, and McKenzie, from Saltcoats, both in North Ayrshire, were found guilty of conspiracy to assault Celtic manager Neil Lennon and several other individuals and organisations, having initially faced an allegation of plotting to kill their intended targets.

The pair were jailed for five years in April for their bomb plot against Lennon, the late QC Paul McBride, Irish Republican group Cairde na hEireann and former MSP Trish Godman.

Last month, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC said publicity surrounding the case meant the number of religious hate crimes being reported soared by almost one-third last year.

He also said putting the spotlight on sectarianism in football has given more people the confidence to report crimes, resulting in almost 900 charges.