FORMER Ipswich Town star Bobby Petta is one of three Celtic players who spent the night in custody after being arrested during a club night out, police said today.

FORMER Ipswich Town star Bobby Petta is one of three Celtic players who spent the night in custody after being arrested during a club night out, police said today.

The players from the Glasgow football club were arrested outside a Newcastle nightclub last night by police probing the alleged theft of a press photographer's camera.

The club had been staging its Christmas party at the American-themed bar, where bikini-clad waitresses serve customers.

Former Dutch schoolboy international Petta, 28, joined Town in 1996 from Feyenoord on a Bosman free transfer.

The left-winger turned out 89 times for the Blues before moving to Celtic three years ago.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "The players were with the group from the club who were in Buffalo Joe's on the Gateshead side of the river, as were a number of photographers.

"There was an incident of some sort. The players left the premises, then one of the photographers reported the theft of his camera to police.

"After investigations on the quayside of the river, a number of Celtic players were arrested for questioning and three remain in custody and will be questioned later."

A Celtic spokeswoman said the club was still investigating what had happened and had no comment to make.

The players being held by police are Bobby Petta, Johan Mjallby, and Joos Valgaeren, according to sources.

An incident, in which a camera was allegedly stolen, was thought to have happened as players left the bar and headed to another club.

Belgian international Valgaeran, 26, Swedish star Mjallby, 31, and Petta were arrested along with an undisclosed number of other players.

Police said no one had yet been charged.