Footballer denies assaulting woman in chip shop

The assault is alleged to have taken place at the Blue Lagoon on Glasgow's Queen Street

A former St Mirren and St Johnstone footballer has pleaded not guilty to two charges of assaulting a woman in a chip shop.

Shaun Rooney, 28, allegedly attacked Sophia Bruce at a Blue Lagoon in Glasgow city centre on 19 September.

Court papers state the defender - who also played for Inverness Caley Thistle and Queen of the South among other clubs - twisted Ms Bruce's arm and kicked her on the body to her injury.

It is claimed that Rooney, of Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, also repeatedly pushed her and seized her on the body.

Rooney faces a separate allegation of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the same date and location.

The charge says he shouted, swore, acted in an aggressive manner and uttered derogatory remarks.

It is stated the alleged offence was aggravated by prejudice related to sexual orientation.

Rooney stood in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court to deny the charges. A trial was set for April next year.

Prosecutor Ross Gunn asked for a special condition of bail for Rooney not to enter the chip shop on Queen Street, which was granted.

Rooney left St Mirren by "mutual consent" in October. He had been suspended by the club following the assault charge.