POLICE have ruled out sectarianism as the motive for the murder of Celtic youth player Lawrence Haggert but admit they are still baffled by the bizarre circumstances surrounding the killing.
They also said last night that the teenager, found with burns to his feet and legs, had ``definitely not'' been tortured.
The 15-year-old died after suffering serious head injuries and burns in an attack at his home in Larbert in the early hours of Saturday.
Yesterday, Lawrence's headteacher at St Mungo's High School, Falkirk, Mr Hugh Lynch, 53, paid tribute to the boy. He said: ``I took an interest in him as soon as he arrived in this school, not only because of his football ability but because he was such a kind and caring boy.
``Lawrence was an incredibly popular and well respected pupil, and he was bright too.''
Lawrence, who signed an S-form with Celtic just over one year ago, died from his injuries in the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, on Sunday.
The attack took place at his home in Glenbervie Drive, Larbert, which he shared with his mother and brothers, Dennis, 12, and John, 17.
Lawrence was found at 1.30am on Saturday by a family member. It is believed he was thrown against a gas fire in the livingroom.
Last night, the man leading the murder hunt, Detective Superintendent Jim Winning, said it was unclear what had caused the burns to the teenager's feet and legs. He said they were ``definitely not'' a result of torture but, equally, he could not say they had been caused accidentally.
Mr Winning added: ``I am aware the boy played for Celtic but there is nothing coming out of our inquiries that would remotely suggest it was sectarian.''
Detectives are trying to piece together Lawrence's final movements. He had been for a night-out with friends in Denny but, after getting out of a taxi in Camelon at around 10.20pm, his movements are unknown.
Mr Winning added that the nature of the killing was ``strange''. He said: ``I don't have a motive at the moment. That is why I am concentrating on Lawrence's movements.''
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