
Fan accused of striking player with seat in Dundee United Euro celebrations appears in court
Jack MacKenzie was allegedly left severely injured and permanently disfigured after a piece of a plastic seat was thrown from the away section at Tannadice Park on Saturday May 17.
Swathes of United fans invaded the pitch at full-time after Jim Goodwin's side secured fourth place – and European football next season – with a 2-1 win over the Dons in the final Scottish Premiership match of the season.
Prosecutors allege David Gowans was responsible for striking the 25-year-old defender, who was called up to the Scotland national squad in October 2024.
Police suggested that the projectile was launched from the upper deck of the Fair Play Stand.
Aberdeen Football Club said Mr MacKenzie, a former loanee at Forfar Athletic, was left with a 'serious facial injury'.
Gowans, of Montrose Drive, Aberdeen, made no plea in connection with a single charge on petition of culpable and reckless conduct at Dundee Sheriff Court.
He was committed for further examination by Sheriff Eric Brown who released Gowans on bail with a condition not to attend or attempt to attend any match in which Aberdeen FC are playing.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd make Alexander Isak decision as Newcastle star signals intent to leave
Alexander Isak has told Newcastle he wants out of St James' Park - but Manchester United will not be making a move for the Swedish striker Manchester United have ruled out a move for Alexander Isak – despite the striker's desire to leave Newcastle. Isak has been left out of Newcastle's squad for their pre-season tour of Singapore and South Korea after informing the club of his desire to move this summer. United need a striker and Sweden international Isak would be the ideal fit for Ruben Amorim's side, but Newcastle's £150million valuation has priced them out a move for him. Liverpool retain an interest in Isak, despite having had an initial approach rebuffed by Newcastle and even though they have signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69m. Europe's top clubs have been aware for several weeks of 25-year-old Isak's desire to leave Newcastle and take his career to a new level elsewhere. Isak has scored 62 goals from 109 games for Newcastle and become one of the most sought-after strikers in world football since joining from Real Sociedad for £63m in 2022. But United cannot afford Newcastle's asking price, particularly having already spent £133.5m on signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. The same is true of Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sekso, whose asking price – both are valued at around £70m – has ruled United out of the running for them. Marcus Rashford's season-long loan move to Barcelona has opened up some headroom for United, with the Spanish club covering his wages in full, a figure totalling around £12m. But United remain bound by Profit and Sustainability Rules [PSR], which have restricted their ability to spend feely and whose boundaries they are determined to remain within. Senior figures at United have not ruled out further signings in advance of sales, but the immediate focus is on shipping players out to raise revenue for new arrivals. Rashford's exit to Barca was the start of that process, with United now looking to offload Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia. Chelsea retain an interest in signing winger Garnacho, who wants to move to Stamford Bridge, which opens up scope for a potential swap deal involving Jackson. Juventus could move for Sancho, while Antony could join Real Betis – where he spent the second half of last season on loan – and has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid.


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd receive Ollie Watkins transfer response as Aston Villa make stance clear
Ollie Watkins is a target for Manchester United, who want to continue their new trend of signing Premier League-proven forwards with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins Aston Villa have told Manchester United that Ollie Watkins is NOT for sale after they enquired about the striker. Watkins, 29, is on United's shortlist as Ruben Amorim makes signing a No.9 his priority for the remainder of the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have already bought two forwards - Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo - for a combined £133.5million, with a new emphasis on signing players who are proven in the Premier League. Of those who United view as realistic options, they don't come much more established than Watkins. Since joining Villa from Brentford in a £33m deal five years ago, Watkins has scored 75 goals and registered 34 assists in 184 league games. The England international was the subject of a £60m bid from Arsenal in January but Villa immediately rejected it. Mirror Football reported earlier this month that United were stepping up their interest in Watkins, whose contract runs until 2028. But Amorim has now been told hands off. The Telegraph report that Villa have no plans to sell the 29-year-old and insist that he isn't for sale at any price. It's not the first conversation that United have had with Villa Park chiefs this summer. Earlier this month, the Red Devils made a surprise loan offer for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez which Villa instantly turned down. Unlike with Watkins, they're willing to let Martinez go if a club meets their £40m asking price. It's been suggested that United could offer Alejandro Garnacho to Villa in a swap deal for Watkins. Garnacho is on the chopping block at Old Trafford but he wants to remain in the Premier League, with Villa reportedly among his admirers. The winger wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement, though, and Villa don't have a recognised backup striker in their ranks. They offloaded Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January for a cool £65m and Unai Emery was delighted to keep Watkins in Birmingham. "He's amazing," Emery told TNT Sports in March. "Because he's a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing. When he is scoring goals, it's the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he's contributing to help the team. "But even when he's not doing both, he's working for the team. Defensively, the commitment was always high. He is in the press to the opponent. His commitment and behaviour is always a very good example for others. His power is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has."


Edinburgh Reporter
an hour ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
David Gray believes Hibs fans will 'make a huge difference' in Denmark tonight
David Gray states the travelling support will 'make a huge difference' as Hibs take on FC Midtjylland in their first UEFA Europa League qualifier tonight. The team travelled from Edinburgh yesterday afternoon, before training in the MCH Arena where they will take on the 2024/25 Danish Superliga runners-up. After competing in vigorous pre-season friendlies, including fixtures against Dutch giants Ajax and English Premier League club AFC Bournemouth, Gray believes his team are as prepared as can be for their first continental challenge. 'Players have come through the games, got minutes into their legs,' said Gray. 'This match is why we have been doing what we have been doing, playing against a lot of tough opposition within pre-season. 'I've not been getting carried away with results. From a physical point of view, we feel we've got the players in a good position. 'We were a little later arriving [in Denmark] so we had to tweak our session,' he added on matchday minus one preparations for Hibs' first competitive match of the season. 'It was important to come to the stadium and to train on the pitch. I've experienced it myself and it gives the players a little familiarity. 'The training session was bright and bubbly. All the hard work has been done, we're all geared up to the match.' Hibs supporters have travelled to Herning, Denmark, in great numbers – and noise – ahead of the club's first European match of the 2025/26 campaign. While remembering a former trip to Brøndby, Gray spoke on how crucial the Hibees' support is for the team in Denmark. 'The fans will make a huge difference. It's their reward as well. At the start of last season, we went through tough times. The fans, as they always do, showed up in numbers. 'This is their reward, European football is what everyone wants to see. 'I'm sure it will be a fantastic occasion and hopefully we can go home with a positive result.' Gray has almost a full squad at his disposal, missing only three players in total, including two long-term injuries anticipated ahead of preparations for the first leg. 'Millsy (Lewis Miller) has not made it. Joe Newell and Rudi Molotnikov, the two longer-term ones, haven't made it. 'Apart from that, everyone is fit and healthy. The players are all in a really good place. 'Millsy was just an impact injury. 'From a squad point of view, we feel we are in a really good position and the players are chomping at the bit to be selected.' Like this: Like Related