A group of football fans are under investigation by police after messages were posted online stating Irish Republican terrorists should be drafted in to "sort" Ronny Deila's struggling Celtic side.

Huddleboard website

A host of hate-filled messages were posted on a Celtic fans forum hours after the Hoops lost 2-1 to Aberdeen in Pittodrie.

The posts, which were written under the heading "Time for the IRA to step in" - stunned fans on the Huddleboard website.

However, some other vile supporters backed the message and one added: "Could be worth a try, maybe they play better kneecapped."

Another simply wrote: "Send them in."

Celtic faced Ross County in Sunday's league cup semi-final

Deila saw his side's top-flight lead cut to just three points on Wednesday night as the Hoops crashed to a second consecutive defeat following their 3-1 hammering by Ross County in Sunday's league cup semi-final.

The series of embarrassing losses have blown Deila's chances of a domestic treble, sparking calls for him to be sacked from some fans.

One police source blasted the bigoted bile and said: "Of course fans are entitled to be upset after two consecutive losses but these messages are completely unacceptable.

"Writing that anyone should be shot or kneecapped is deplorable.

"These individuals will be tracked down and an investigation is already under way to trace whoever is responsible."

In the Huddleboard post, under the name PeterK, the fan who started the thread, wrote: "Time for the IRA to step in and sort this mess out."

The Evening Times understands specialist police officers are now working to identify the individuals behind the posts.

A Police Scotland spokesman told the Evening Times: "Police Scotland are aware and are investigating."