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Jim Goodwin confident fans could return to football safely

Jim Goodwin confident fans could return to football safely
© Reuters
The Scottish football authorities warned of "catastrophic" consequences if fans were denied entry for the majority of the season.

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin believes Scottish football has shown it can meet safety protocols as he called for a plan for the return of fans to be drawn up for the future.

The Scottish Government confirmed this week that a provisional date of October 5 for the return of spectators would be unlikely to be ratified amid increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections.

The UK Government earlier suggested it could be six months before supporters return to English sports events but Goodwin feels there is evidence to support Scottish football's safety record.

"Like every club, we were hoping we could get supporters back in for the Betfred Cup," he said. "That doesn't look like it will happen now.

"It's obviously extremely disappointing but hopefully the SFA, SPFL and the government will be able to come up with a plan that will allow us to do something safely in the future.

"We have got to be sensible about it. Obviously the transmissions are continuing to rise and that's got to be the priority for everyone just now. The most important thing for everybody is the health and safety of all of our families and friends.

"But I do believe football clubs are capable of doing things properly.

"We have shown that, within the training grounds, we are capable of following protocols and doing things safely. I think we would be able to do it at the stadium as well.

"We obviously just need to get clear guidance on that and get some support from the government, and hopefully we will be able to do it.

"An outdoor arena where there are thousands of seats and plenty of space to socially-distance, I do believe we as a football community would be capable of putting things in place and carrying it out safely."

The Scottish football authorities warned of "catastrophic" consequences if fans were denied entry for the majority of the season but Goodwin is still keeping an eye out for potential new signings.

"We are all continuing to see what's out there but aware that there isn't an endless pot of money either," he said ahead of Saturday's visit of Kilmarnock.

"I was given a playing budget about two-and-a-half months ago now. We had budgeted for different circumstances so I'm pretty sure the club have got things in place that will allow us to get through this.

"Although we are not sitting with multi-millions in the bank, we don't have the biggest playing budget in the world, we don't have the biggest squad in the world, I do believe financially we are in a position where we can ride this out. But at the same time I think it's going to be extremely tight."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


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