DETECTIVES probing a brawl at a restaurant that saw Rangers striker Kenny Miller’s wife slapped in the face are hunting a knifeman spotted at the scene.
Trouble flared at Da Luciano in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, just hours after last week’s Old Firm clash.
Up to 20 people were involved in the fracas that spilled out into the trendy Italian venue’s car park.
Specialist Police Scotland officers are now examining CCTV footage of the bust-up amid claims a man was seen entering the venue brandishing a lock back knife shortly afterwards.
Miller, who was a substitute for Rangers’ Premiership clash with Ross County yesterday, had to rescue wife Laura after she was slapped in the face during the ordeal.
The assault – which followed a torrent of abuse aimed at the striker after his side’s 5-1 drubbing earlier that day – left 28-year-old Laura with a scratch to her forehead and a black eye.
An insider revealed: “The CCTV was taken away by officers on the night. After everything had died down, a male was seen coming back armed with a knife.
“Clearly the police want to identify the individual and track him down.
“It was chaos – all hell broke loose. There was a prolonged scuffle, punches were thrown and Laura was grabbed by her hair.
“The police were called, but by the time they got there, it was all over.
“The CCTV coverage is good and the images are clear. The officers will be wanting to speak to anyone involved, including Kenny and his wife.”
Police Scotland made a plea for calm before Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, which was the first league fixture between the sides in four years.
Miller, who has played for both halves of the Old Firm, recently moved to the area after selling his home on the outskirts of the city to ex-international team-mate Robert Snodgrass.
The incident at Da Luciano started shortly before 9pm last Saturday.
Laura was pictured on the day with Gers captain Lee Wallace’s partner Stephanie Moffat, 28, and Amy Wilson, who goes out with former Ibrox midfielder Nicky Law.
It’s believed a daughter of business figure Hugh “Shug” O’Donnell was also in Da Luciano when the trouble flared. Mr O’Donnell previously owned the venue but sold it in 2012.
Two years later the restaurant – a favourite haunt of Old Firm players – was named best newcomer in the Scottish Entertainment Awards.
Mum-of-two Laura later posted photographs to her on-line Instagram account showing the cut above her eye.
It’s also believed she lost a pair of earrings worth a five-figure sum in the incident.
On Tuesday, Laura posted a photograph of her ear accompanied by the caption: “My substitute earrings are not very cool”.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “At around 9.15pm on Saturday September 10, police were called to a report of a disturbance within a restaurant on Silverwells Crescent, Bothwell.
“There was no ongoing disturbance on arrival of the police, however inquiries continue.”
Miller’s agent refused to comment on the Da Luciano fracas.
The incident is the latest fallout from last Saturday’s showdown at Celtic Park.
Celtic launched an internal probe after two blow-up sex dolls in Rangers scarves were hung from a stadium upper tier.
Extensive damage was also caused to a toilet block at the ground.
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