Scottish Supporters Network
Hosted by Supporters Direct Scotland
Hosted by Supporters Direct Scotland
Date: 20th July 2021
Last week I called on the Scottish government to allow more than the allocated 2,000 capacities for games in which it could be proved that the club’s could handle higher attendances.
Thankfully that seems to be happening.
Rangers have announced that they will be allowed a crowd of over 8000 into the doors of Ibrox on Saturday for a friendly with Brighton & Hove Albion, followed by a 12,750 gate for a glamour friendly with Spanish giants Real Madrid the following day. The Scottish Premiership champions also confirmed that 17000 will be allowed to watch their opening league clash against Livingston and that they’re hoping to have a full capacity (all things going well) for their Champions League qualifier in August.
Celtic’s season kicks off tonight and they’ve been allowed a capacity of 9000. The Glasgow club will feel a bit aggrieved by that number given that The Gers have been granted a bigger crowd on Sunday for a friendly and that it’s also lower than the number of fans that were allowed to attend the games at Hampden last month for the Euros. We should remember that we have seen Covid case numbers rise recently, although that hopefully seems to be on a downward path according to Nicola Sturgeon. That will hopefully mean more fans will be granted access to Celtic Park soon.
Aberdeen will face Swedish cracks BK Hacken on Thursday at Pittodrie, with the number allowed to attend sitting at 5,655. Again probably not the number the Dons were looking for but it’s a decent level when you consider Pittodrie has a full capacity of 20,866. Again here’s hoping Aberdeen beat their tough Conference League opponents and will see more supporters through the turnstiles in the next round!
Hibs, who today welcomed the news that manager Jack Ross has signed a new contract, have been granted a maximum of 4700 for their European tie with Andorran side Santa Coloma at Easter Road. Again that’s just over half what they requested.
Club’s should definitely make a real effort to prove that they can easily handle the numbers that come in this week and show they have the ability to bring in more and remain safe to do so!
I also wish to send the best of luck to every Scottish side playing in Europe this week. I really believe our clubs are getting stronger both on and off the pitch and Europe is the best gauge when it comes to proving this.
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BBC Scotland are currently reporting that The SFA are close to appointing Pedro Martinez Losa as the new boss for the Scotland women’s national side.
While I believe that bringing in Pedro will herald an exciting era for our women’s game, I still have to question why it took the SFA seven months to find Shelley Kerr’s replacement and why our media haven’t made more of a fuss about the slow process?
Can you imagine the same wait for a new men’s gaffer and no one really asking questions or giving out statements? I don’t think so and it kind of looks to me like the women’s game is still seen as a side project when compared to their male counterparts!
That being said Martinez Losa has won trophies both in his homeland of Spain and with Arsenal in England, so hopefully the forty-five year old can once again guide us to a major final.
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Football is again leading the community drive to get more vaccines within the local population.
Following Peterhead FC’s fine 3-1 victory over Cove Rangers last weekend, eight of the club’s players stepped forward to receive their Covid-19 vaccine shots. That’s an ideal win-win in anyone’s book.
NHS Grampian were happy to give out the jabs as it will hopefully encourage more younger people in the area to follow suit and get their vaccines too.
This again shows just how important football can be in building a better and healthier community.
Well done lads!
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