A celtic fan who prompted a diplomatic incident between the Scottish and Irish governments by complaining about a football song mocking the potato famine, has said he fears for the safety of his family after being threatened by Rangers supporters. The father-of-three from Glasgow claims he has become the subject of vile sectarian abuse on internet message boards for fans of the Ibrox club.

One described him as “bitter, twisted, dirty and inbred” and suggested he should “f*** off back home to the old country”.

Another said: “How the f*** could one deluded maniac claiming to be “of Irish descent” cause so much trouble?” adding “Tims — stop moaning about Britain and singing IRA songs and we might stop wishing you’d all go home.”

The so-called Famine Song at the centre of the row has been sung by Rangers supporters at matches this season. To the tune of Sloop John B by the Beach Boys, it includes the lyrics: “Why don’t you go home, why don’t you go home, the famine is over, why don’t you go home.” The song was brought to the attention of the Celtic fan when his 12-year-old son returned home with a video, given to him by a classmate, featuring a rendition by Rangers supporters.

The 46-year-old council worker, whom The Sunday Times has agreed not to name, heard the song being sung at an Old Firm match this month, and wrote a letter of complaint to the Irish consul-general in London. He has also reported it to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

The consul raised the matter with the Scottish government, resulting in Rangers FC issuing a statement warning its fans they risked arrest if they continue to sing the song.

While the Celtic fan, who is of Irish descent, has no regrets about taking action, he says he is living in fear about possible reprisals.

“The famine song is blatantly racist. People who indulge in it are making Scotland look ridiculous and they should be charged with racial hatred,” he said. “At the last Old Firm game, which I attended with two of my sons, thousands of Rangers fans sang the famine song. I was angry that my kids, who are 12 and 13, were exposed to this racist, hateful nonsense and I felt I had to do something about it, but I did not expect a diplomatic incident.

“People have written to newspapers and contacted phone-ins accusing me of political correctness and pettiness but this song goes beyond banter. It’s dangerous.”

A spokeswoman for the EHRC said: “We are very concerned about the offensive song currently being used by some Rangers supporters. Sectarian songs are clearly meant to inflame racial and religious prejudice and should be dealt with by the criminal law.”

A Rangers spokesman last night distanced the club from the remarks on fan websites. “The club does not condone any of the tit-for-tat exchanges and abuse that have been made on both sides of this debate,” he said. “But this is not a one way street. Only recently there was an incident on a fans’ website which included the address of a player and overt threats. It required police intervention, which is totally unacceptable.”

Strathclyde police said the force would take action if any complaints were made.

Northern Ireland’s sports minister Gregory Campbell, a Democratic Unionist MP, has written to Celtic chairman John Reid condemning Celtic fans for singing in favour of the IRA.

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