Celtic stars spend night in cells

Celtic's Bobby Petta, Johan Mjallby, and Joos Valgaeren spent the night in custody after being arrested during a club night out, police said today.

The players from the Glasgow football club were arrested outside a Newcastle nightclub last night by police probing the alleged theft of a press photographer’s camera.

The club had been staging its Christmas party at the American-themed bar, where bikini-clad waitresses serve customers.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: “The players were with the group from the club who were in Buffalo Joe’s on the Gateshead side of the river, as were a number of photographers.

“There was an incident of some sort. The players left the premises, then one of the photographers reported the theft of his camera to police.

“After investigations on the quayside of the river, a number of Celtic players were arrested for questioning and three remain in custody and will be questioned later.”

A Celtic spokeswoman said the club was still investigating what had happened and had no comment to make.

Reporters and photographers had been waiting outside the bar where the Glasgow team were enjoying a night out.

Belgian international Valgaeran, 26, Swedish star Mjallby, 31, and Dutch winger Petta, 28, were arrested along with an undisclosed number of other players.

Police said no one had yet been charged.