THE FOUNDER of Celtic Boys Club Jim Torbett branded the men accusing him of historic sexual abuse as liars.

The 71-year-old denied asking the boys at the club to call him “big man” and said that he was a lot bigger than he is now and the name stuck.

He added he thought the late Jock Stein was called the same thing and said: “I'm sure he didn't ask Celtic players to call him ‘big man’.”

The allegations made by two former youth players and another man who claimed he was abused on occasions in the Trophy Centre, Torbett owned, on Shawbridge Street, were put to him.

He denied any of if happened and said the allegations were lies.

An accusation made by one man who claimed Torbett had him dry himself in front of him, he described as “something out of fairytales”.

The former youth manager, from Kelvindale, was giving evidence today for a second day at the High Court in Glasgow where he denies abusing three boys between August 1986 and August 1994.

He told the court the boys in the club were disciplined and well-mannered and gave the example they “couldn't go around f-ing and blinding in the dressing room”.

The trial before judge Lord Beckett continues.