Scott Brown has praised the response from Old Firm fans after he was abused by a spectator about his late sister outside Ibrox.

The Celtic captain also revealed Rangers issued him an apology via email.

Brown's sister Fiona died from skin cancer aged 21 in 2008 and was the subject of taunts as he left Ibrox following his side's 2-0 win on September 1.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the incident and Rangers issued a life ban from the stadium.

Brown, 34, said: "Fans from both sides were phenomenal to be honest. It's not just one incident, it's happened over the last 12 years of my career.

"It's hard, it's sad and it shouldn't be happening. I play football, I play to win.

"[For] 90 minutes you can shout and swear at me as much as you want on the park, but don't go into detail off the park like that."

Brown feels there is a simple reason for the growth in unacceptable abuse faced by footballers.

"That's easy, social media," he said. "Anyone can write what they want.

"Someone sitting in the house that has probably never played sport thinks they will drink a bottle of vodka and then go and write something online. It's easy enough done.

"You are always going to get a bit of stick. For me it's about how you bounce back.

"You block those people out, you focus on your football and you go out there and prove everyone wrong."