PADDY Crerand, the former Scotland, Celtic and Manchester United footballer, was cleared by a jury yesterday of an alleged road rage attack.

The 63-year-old, who grew up in the Gorbals area of Glasgow and played for Celtic before joining Manchester United alongside Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best, spoke of his relief at the unanimous verdict which was returned in 35 minutes.

Thanking the jury and fellow former football stars Bryan Robson and Mike Summerbee, who were character witnesses, Mr Crerand spoke of how his grand-daughter, Saoirse, had been left ''traumatised''.

He said: ''I cannot understand why I have come to court in the first place. I am surprised that, if someone follows you home and attacks you, that you are the one who ends up getting arrested.

''At the end of the day the jury has done the right thing, and I must thank them for that.''

Speaking outside Minshull Street Crown Court, in Manchester, where he was cleared of one charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and another of unlawful wounding, Mr Crerand told of the strain on himself and the family.

He said: ''Hopefully now we can just get on with our lives.''

While Mr Crerand, of Sale, Greater Manchester, showed no emotion as he was acquitted after a three-day trial, members of his family shouted ''yes'' from the public gallery.

Stephen Fox, his solicitor, said outside the court: ''When you are in the public eye you are very vulnerable to being in this kind of situation.''

Mr Crerand had claimed that he had struck a motorist with a seven-iron golf club in self- defence after a row over driving.

He was arrested last November after claims that he attacked Mark Taylor, a hospital maintenance supervisor.

The prosecution alleged that the 39-year-old man was ''in fear of his life'' and writhing in agony after a confrontation at Mr Crerand's home. The pair had earlier clashed after Mr Crerand, who had picked up his granddaughter from school, allegedly cut off Mr Taylor at a junction.

In his closing speech Anthony Rumbelow, QC, defence counsel, claimed that Mr Taylor had been lying.

''Mr Crerand believed he was being followed when his car turned. Mr Taylor's car turned, not once but twice.

''You are dealing with a mature man who was taking care of his granddaughter,'' he told the jury.