BULLY attack lad Callum McIvor paid tribute to hero Jonny Hayes for rescuing him then sending a motivational letter days later.

Schoolboy Callum, 11, told how the Celtic star waded in to save him from four brutes who injured him during a sick shop beating.

3 'Don't let them get you down'

The Rangers-daft youngster later sent a thank you card to the footballer and was stunned to receive a generous package in the post on Saturday with a signed Hoops jersey and words of encouragement.

A note read: “Don’t ever let the boys from school get you down!

“Bullies aren’t worth your time! If you ever need anything at all, I’m only five minutes up the road.”

And the shirt message said: “Nice to meet you.”

They later exchanged messages on Instagram, with the Irish winger adding: “Remember bullies are just kids that are jealous and they’re not worth your time!

“And don’t be afraid to speak to your teachers!”

3 Rangers fan Callum got a signed hoops shirt

Last night Callum, who lives near Celtic’s training base in Lennoxtown near Glasgow, said: “I couldn’t believe it. It’s so nice of him to do that, it cheered me up.

“Everyone has heard about it and have been in touch.

“He’s such a cool guy — I am a Rangers supporter and all of my friends are asking if I now support Celtic. I’ve always wanted to be a footballer so I asked him for a game one day.”

Callum revealed the gang followed him into the town’s Co-op after throwing plastic bottles at him on a bus home from St Ninian’s High in Kirkintilloch.

One lout shoved him into shelves hurting his head, neck and leg.

Hayes then shielded Callum and escorted him home to safety.

3 Jonny saved the boy from a bully attack

Callum said: “I hated going to school because of them, I would feel scared and frightened.

“Nobody wanted to sit next to me on the bus because they were scared they would be hit by the bottles.”

Callum added: “Jonny came over and got them off me.

“He offered me a lift home – but I said no because my mum always taught me never to go home with strangers.

“I called my mum as I was walking down to my gran’s house and told her. It was nice because Jonny was driving slowly behind me. I think he was making sure I got home okay.”

Callum — who started secondary last month — says his life has been made a misery by the bullies.

Mum Jordan Forrest, 28, reported the September 10 assault to police – only for the cowards to target her lad again two days later.

This time Callum says he was repeatedly hit on the face on the bus. Jordan says she again reported this to cops and there was a meeting at the school.

Mum-of-three Jordan took to Facebook to tell about the star’s act of kindness – along with a video of her son opening the signed shirt.

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She said: “It’s just so nice that someone like him took the time to do this for my boy.

“It’s really cheered him up and put a smile on his face. Callum has even started going out to play after school again.

“He stayed in for weeks because he was scared of seeing those boys, so it’s really helped him.

“It’s just so lovely and we would like to give Jonny a massive thanks.”

Celtic, police and East Dunbartonshire Council were all unavailable for comment.

Celtic star Jonny Hayes sends signed shirt to young Rangers fan after helping him with school bullies

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