Mr Big behind Scotland's new gang war revealed to be ex-Union Bears chief

Scottish Sun

17-05-2025

A source said: 'McGill is Scotland's most wanted gangster.'
'MIAMI' UNMASKED Mr Big behind Scotland's new gang war revealed to be ex-Union Bears chief
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THE ex-Rangers ultra waging a terrifying gangland war on Scotland's streets can be unmasked for the first time.
Former Union Bears chief Ross McGill, 31 is the Dubai-based hood known as 'Miami'.
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McGill pictured next to Gers captain James Tavernier
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He was recently snapped in a white Rolls Royce in Dubai
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The ex-UB chief announced in September he was leaving his role as so-called UB 'lead capo'
He is behind a wave of firebombings across the central belt.
McGill has been hunted by cops for three years over claims he was involved in drug dealing and serious crime.
But he fled the UK in 2022 — months after he announced he was stepping down as Rangers ultras' leader — amid fears he would be arrested after cops cracked encrypted phone network EncroChat.
Sources say McGill, who uses the nickname Miami, initially fled to Spain before moving to Dubai.
He has resurfaced as an aspiring crimelord, calling the shots on an ongoing underworld turf feud that has seen a wave of attacks in and around Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The Scot was recently snapped in a white Rolls-Royce in the desert haven favoured by criminals eager to evade the law.
Previously he was a top figure in the fanatical Gers supporters group — even posing for photos next to captain James Tavernier, 33, and ex-manager Steven Gerrard, 44.
Last night a source said: 'Ross McGill is a well-known figure in football circles due to the role he had with the Union Bears.
'He was seen as a very effective leader and built up connections with the club as a representative of the ultras group.
'When he left his role he was given a handshake from Gerrard, who was happy to pose for a photo widely shared on social media.
The DOWNFALL of Scotland's biggest gangster - Jamie 'The Iceman' Stevenson Part Two
'But no one at the Ibrox club, including Gerrard, would have had any clue that McGill was part of a police investigation into serious organised crime.
'It will come as a total shock for them to learn what he's accused of.'
Light Blues skipper Tavernier shared a picture on Twitter in July 2019 when McGill presented him with a trophy from the ultras.
The ace wrote: 'Honoured to have received last year's player of the year award from Ross and the Union Bears last night.'
In September 2021, McGill announced he was leaving his role as so-called UB 'lead capo' — sparking a wave of tributes from fellow fans.
One wrote on a forum: 'Wish him all the best, he's built that group from nothing and led a tremendous singing section for years.'
Another added: 'He has been absolutely fantastic. Cap doffed sir.
'Replacement has big shoes to fill, but we wish him all the best.'
Another Light Blues fan chipped in: 'All the best to Ross and thanks for the tireless efforts in bringing colour and of course the noise.'
But the supporters had no idea McGill, originally from East Kilbride, was already being investigated by cops over links to organised crime.
Underworld sources say that since then he has made connections with cartel Mr Bigs.
Among his close associates is said to be Stephen 'Jimmy' Jamieson, 42, former right-hand man of Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson, 60.
It's claimed McGill was introduced to the highest levels of criminal networks by supergang chief James 'The Don' White, 47.
RICHARDSON CRONY VAN IS TORCHED
EXCLUSIVE by Graham Mann and Harry Williamson
THUGS torched a van in another strike on caged kingpin Mark Richardson's cronies.
The charred motor was seen parked outside homes in Newcraighall, Edinburgh.
It was owned by a company linked to Paddy Beatson — a well-known associate of the besieged mobster.
Gunshots were allegedly fired into Beatson's home in the city's Niddrie in March, when McGill began targeting his rivals' allies.
We also revealed how gangsters hired a hitman to hunt down enemies in Richardson's crew including Beatson.
A mysterious group known as Tamu Junto has been targeting homes linked to Richardson and the feared Daniels crime clan.
Police Scotland said: 'About 7.05pm on Friday, we were called to a report of a van on fire.
'There were no injuries. The fire is being treated as wilful. Inquiries are ongoing.'
He is also a close pal of cocaine dealer and ex-Union Bears thug Lloyd Cross, 33, now serving a six-year prison stretch for his role in Iceman's £100million racket smuggling cocaine in banana boxes.
And there are disputed claims his rapid rise has been boosted by support from gang chiefs Steven Lyons, 44, and Ross Monaghan, 43.
The pair are among underworld figures said to be revelling in the violence being inflicted on targets linked to long-standing enemies Mark Richardson, 38, and Glasgow's notorious Daniel mob.
With White banged up in jail, it's claimed McGill now oversees drug routes from South America previously established by Iceman plus James, 52, and Barry Gillespie, 48.
Stevenson is set to stay behind bars until he's in his seventies while the brothers, from Rutherglen, near Glasgow, have not seen since 2019 — amid fears they have been murdered in Brazil.
That has helped pave the way for McGill to be fast-tracked to the top of the criminal pyramid.
We told how sources claim he sees himself as the successor to Scotland's criminal throne and is determined to show he has what it takes to become a feared figure.
It's a far cry from McGill's early efforts to become a legitimate businessman.
He set up a catering operation called Gourmet Pie Ltd that was dissolved in July 2023.
His other failed ventures include a construction business, takeaway food and mobile phone stands, a restaurant, a dry-cleaning company, a management consultancy and a fitness firm.
McGill's name and photos of him have been circulating online for months with gangland figures well aware of his role in the turf war.
We told how the violence was sparked amid claims associates of caged Edinburgh kingpin Richardson ripped him off with fake banknotes over a £500,000 coke deal.
WANNABE MOB BOSS'S £2K CHARITY NEVIS TREK
By Graham Mann
WANTED man McGill previously raised more than £2,000 for Rangers' charity by climbing Ben Nevis with mates.
The former Union Bears chief rallied fellow Gers supporters to support his trip up Scotland's highest mountain.
McGill — now holed up in Dubai — earned £2,355 for the Ibrox side's foundation plus a veterans' charity.
He launched his appeal on JustGiving ahead of the June 2016 fundraiser.
The aspiring crime boss told supporters: 'On Saturday 4th of June, a group of us will be leaving Glasgow for Fort William with the aim of climbing Ben Nevis.
'The walk will take around 5-6 hours, and will see us climb to over 1,300 metres.
'All money raised from the walk will be going to two very worthwhile charities — the Erskine Hospital for ex servicemen and the Rangers Charity Foundation.
'Please donate whatever you can and help us reach our target for these great causes.
'If you are interested in taking part then contact Ross McGill on Facebook. Alternatively if you are on Follow Follow you can send a PM.'
He ordered a wave of revenge attacks that erupted in the capital more than two months ago, later spreading to the Glasgow area — where people linked to the Daniel family have been targeted.
Videos of some of the incidents have circulated on social media, with a group dubbed Tamo Junto, or TMJ, taking responsibility.
Cops have made more than 30 arrests in connection with the feud.
The latest attack was a firebombing at the home in Drumchapel, Glasgow, of Kelly 'Bo' Green, 45 — previously the partner of murdered Daniel enforcer Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll, 29.
There have been claims of truce talks in Dubai, where Daniel clan associates have made efforts to persuade McGill to call off the mayhem — but been rebuffed.
Underworld sources last week alleged McGill fled from a nightclub in the UAE bolthole after spotting heavies linked to Steven 'Bonzo' Daniel, 45, nearby.