SPORT Celtic set for ‘test’ match with fans
Lennon keen to have crowd back for Motherwell match Gerrard adamant Kent stays as Rangers knock back Leeds offer
NEIL LENNON last night expressed hope that Celtic get the goahead from Holyrood to let fans back in to Parkhead – and predicted it will boost their 10-in-a-row bid and European prospects if they do.
The Glasgow club have been in talks with the Scottish government, who announced on Thursday that a limited number of supporters may be allowed to attend matches from September 14, about using their Premiership game against Motherwell a week tomorrow as a test event.
Lennon has been impressed with how the Scottish champions have dealt with the coronavirus safety protocols at their home fixtures against Hamilton and KR Reykjavik so far in the 2020/21 campaign and is confident they can cope with the requirements.
The Northern Irishman admitted that having some Celtic fans cheering them on would give his players, who take on Dundee United in the league at Tannadice this evening, an edge both domestically and in continental competition.
“It is really important that we start games well, but it is sometimes difficult to do that when you are not walking out to the same atmosphere,” he said. “We don’t want this [empty stadiums] to be the norm.
“The club is looking at hopefully testing, in collaboration with the government, at the Motherwell game next week.
“The sooner we can get supporters back into the stadium, the better for all involved in the game. Not just coaches, but players and, obviously, supporters. Once the game starts you are fully focused on the game, but there’s no doubt, particularly on a European night, that having our support back in there would be beneficial to us.”
Meanwhile, THE SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group (JRG) today confirmed the suspension of football will be lifted on Monday – meaning clubs below Premiership level will be able to resume training if they comply with updated government coronavirus guidelines.
Championship, League One and League Two clubs were given the details of the new protocols in a series of videoconference calls hosted by the Joint Response Group today and further meetings are scheduled for the fifth and sixth tiers next week.
STEVEN GERRARD has issued a firm ‘handsoff’ rebuke to Leeds United after their £10million bid for winger Ryan Kent was rejected by Rangers.
But the Ibrox boss knows he could be forced to sell one of his key men if the Premier League side return to the table and increase their offer this summer.
Rangers quickly dismissed the approach made by Leeds earlier this week for Kent and it will take a significant profit on the £7m paid to Liverpool last term for the Govan side to even consider doing business.
The loss of Kent would be a huge blow to Rangers’ title chances and Gerrard said: “It’s correct that we have rejected an offer. I’m not sure the exact day when it happened. A bid has arrived that has been strongly rejected and we move on. As simple as that, really.
“I’m guessing a bit here, but I think the offer was made more than five or six days ago. So there has been nothing else since. To be honest, I’m not really interested in reading into it whether they are going to come back or not.
“For me it’s just a strong message that he’s not for sale.
“Listen, I’m a realist. I’m not soft, I’m not stupid. I realise the power of Leeds now that they are a Premier League team.
“I understand and respect the power of all the Premier League teams and all the teams from leagues in the top five in the world. I get it.
“But they have also got to respect and understand that he is one of our main players. He is a fantastic player.
“We have spent two years trying to build something here that is competitive and he is a big part of that jigsaw. So he is someone that we want to fight to keep. But, you know, everyone has a number and a price and a valuation. Right now, where it stands, Leeds are nowhere near that. So at the moment I am not concerned.”
Kent is available for the Premiership visit of Kilmarnock this afternoon but Gerrard will be without Leon Balogun, Joe Aribo and Jermain Defoe.