Former Hibs, Hearts and Accies ace warned he faces jail after cop swoop

A FORMER Scottish professional footballer is facing jail after being caught carrying out a £400,000 money laundering handover.

- BY TIM BUGLER

James Keatings, 33, transported heavy boxes of crime cash in a white Transit van and told police he had been working as a plasterer.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Keatings - once on the books as a forward for clubs including Celtic, Hearts, Hibs and Hamilton Accies - was arrested this year following a tip-off to the National Crime Agency in 2024 about a large cash handover due to take place in a street in Wishaw, Lanarkshire.

Prosecutor Alistair McDermid said officers from the NCA lay in wait in Young Street, Wishaw, on June 28, 2024, when a white Mercedes van arrived and parked. The driver was alone.