'Lotto lout' invests in Gers

A convicted criminal who won £9.7m (€13.8m) on the National Lottery has invested some of his winnings with his beloved football club, it was confirmed today.

Michael Carroll, who supports Glasgow Rangers, has placed some of his jackpot with a finance company linked to the club.

Mr Carroll, who watched his favourite team lose 1-0 to Old Firm rivals Celtic on Saturday, has given an undisclosed sum to Rangers Financial Management.

The company, who look after financial matters for the Gers, gives the club a share of profits for the financial services they sell.

A spokesman for Rangers said: “The company is authorised to provide advice on investments, savings and protection and was set up as an added value service for supporters, staff and players.

“For clarification, Michael Carroll has not invested money directly in Rangers Football Club and certainly not £1m.”

The 20-year-old has courted controversy ever since he scooped the multi-million pound prize while electronically tagged for being drunk and disorderly.

That, plus a criminal record including a four-month sentence for aggravated vehicle-taking, driving whilst disqualified and criminal damage, led to him being severely criticised in some sections of the media, earning himself the nickname “Lotto Lout”.

He has also appeared in court about 30 times.

The former dustman from Swaffham, near Kings Lynn, Norfolk, has since bought a five-bedroom house with his wife, whom he wed recently.

Mr Carroll told the Daily Record newspaper: “I’ve always been a Rangers fan since I was a kid. Now with my lottery winnings I can afford to see plenty of games and take my mates with me.

“I can even afford to help support the club by investing some of my cash.”