ALEX: MY KIDS ARE PRIORITY

ALEX DYER insists Covidhit Kilmarnock had to forfeit tonight’s clash with Falkirk as it wouldn’t have been fair to lob his teens in at the deep end.

The Rugby Park side appealed to the SPFL to move the tie with six players struck with the virus and the entire f irst- team squad in quarantine but the plea was rejected last night.

Killie were left with the option to field a youth side or refuse to play the tie – and hand Falkirk an automatic 3-0 win.

Record Sport understands Dyer was left with a handful of players over 19 to pick from, with half a dozen part of last year’s under-18 side and the rest of the group made up of 16 and 17-year-olds.

The entire group would have also been required to have been tested and cleared to play but the manager felt there would have been no gain in chucking in a team made up of kids. Dyer said: “We have a duty of care for the physical and emotional wellbeing of our young players.

“Blooding youngsters into the first - team environment carefully and at the right time is something I believe in.

“As manager, I didn’t feel comfortable fielding a team of teenagers, all of whom have no first-team experience.”

Falkirk were sympathetic to Killie’s plight and willing to discuss a potential switch but league chiefs are determined to stick to the new rules that are in place to avoid a future fixture pile up.

A Bairns statement said: “Falkirk understands why this decision has been made, as the safety of the players and staff of both clubs is the top priority. We wish all those affected a full and speedy recovery.”