Former Rangers player Nacho Novo has been filmed confronting a Celtic fan who subjected him to vile abuse as he arrived at Belfast Airport.

The 39-year-old Novo, who played 255 times for Rangers between 2004 and 2010, was walking through the airport when the man, wearing a Celtic jacket, starting singing: 'Hope you die in your sleep, Nacho Novo.'

Initially, the Ibrox favourite laughed off the chant, which the fan filmed, but then Novo decided to confront the man outside the airport terminal.

Former Rangers player Nacho Novo confronted a Celtic fan who sung a vile 'hope you die in your sleep Nacho Novo' chant at him at Belfast Airport

The Spaniard, who played 255 times for Rangers, initially laughed off the chant before returning to confront the Celtic supporter

Novo squared up to the man, who wore a Celtic jacket, and asked why he disrespected him

Novo suffered a heart attack while playing for a Rangers legends team in Berlin in January

Novo eventually walks away from the confrontation after making his point to the abuser

The Spaniard squared up to the man and said: 'Why do you respect me like that? What have I f****** done to you? Have I done anything to you? What the f*** man?' before walking away.

The Celtic fan's chant comes after Novo suffered a heart attack while playing for a Rangers legends team in a tournament in Berlin back in January.

Novo later tweeted about the confrontation, saying: 'Arrived at Belfast international airport tonight to support the local community for all sides of the divide, as soon as I walked out of the airport I was surrounded by Celtic supporters that hurled abuse and tried to attack myself. I would like (to) thank genuine Celtic supporter.'

Novo also retweeted a video of the confrontation, leading to a flood of comments supporting him and condemning the actions of the Celtic fan.

Novo later posted about the incident, saying a group of Celtic supporters hurled abuse at him

Novo (R) in action for Rangers against Celtic in an Old Firm derby match in October 2009

The 39-year-old scored 73 goals in 255 matches for Rangers between 2004 and 2010

The Spaniard won the Scottish Premier League three times during his time with the Ibrox club

One user said: 'Unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world so men have to stand their ground when things like this happen. Any man would of (sic) done the exact same thing. Especially when it's a group of thugs who would jump on any weakness shown. Nacho dealt with it brilliantly.'

Another wrote: 'That's bang out of order. Football rivalries don't justify you singing about people dying. Think Novo did well not to give him a smack in the mouth.'

One Celtic fan posted: 'Disgraceful. Keep up the work of supporting the community and both sides.'

Novo owns a bar, NN10, outside Ibrox and the player offered to pay a share of the drinks bill during 'Nacho Hour' ahead of the club's opening Scottish Premiership match against Aberdeen on Sunday.