Council delays are an own-goal

THAT professional football is returning to Scotland to fill the sports drought is a cause for great cheer but it seems that it might be half-hearted applause for the return of youth football on Monday.

The Scottish Government has given the go-ahead for youth football to restart but without pitches to kick a ball on, many teenagers will be left disappointed.

It is up to local councils to manage how their facilities come out of lockdown and one of the biggest, Glasgow City, won’t be playing ball on opening up its pitches until mid-August.

That’s going to leave a lot of kids and their trainers chewing the astroturf.

Participating in sport isn’t just good for your physical health, it is a great stress-buster too and a proven aid to mental health.

After months of lockdown, kids deserve a kickabout and with months to prepare for the day, councils across Scotland should pass the ball up the pitch and accelerate their plans to open up sports facilities as quickly – and safely of course – as possible.