Sam’s all for the silent treatment
Saints midfielder Sam Foley insists he’ll have no trouble getting himself fired up for behind-closed-doors games.
The 2020/21 Scottish Premiership will almost certainly start without fans in the stands as the country continues to try and stop the spread of the potentially-deadly coronavirus.
While many supporters believe this will lead to a lack of atmosphere and intensity inside stadiums, Foley says he won’t have any issue with getting himself and his teammates fired up for battle.
He told Express Sport: “I’ve played in plenty of games behind closed doors but they’ve always been reserve games.
“I’ve never played a competitive match behind closed doors.
“I know some players struggle with it but for me I don’t find it difficult at all.
“I always give every game everything I’ve got and I’d back myself to go out there and do the same if we have to at the start of next season.
“Footballers have routines and I know some will find it hard to adapt. We’re all very used to going out and getting a clap from the fans when we go out to warm up and then you feed off the atmosphere from the stands at kick off.
“But, as a professional, you need to be able to adapt to work in any situation. For us it should be no different because the end goal is still the same. We’re going out there to do our job.”
While some players have sternly warned against a rush back to action, former Northampton Town and Port Vale fan favourite Foley believes football has a vital role to play as the country looks to emerge from lockdown.
And the stand-in skipper can’t wait to get back to the Simple Digital Arena and bring a sense of normality back to the area.
He said: “There’s still so much uncertainty at the moment but football is an important cog in society.
“You can see things are slowly getting better and football returning will be a big mental health boost for a lot of people who love the sport so much.
“We’re going into the season with a bit of blind faith that we’ll be looked after properly but every club is in the same boat.
“I just can’t wait to be preparing for games again, doing homework on the opposition.”
It should be no different because the end goal is still the same. We’re going out there to do our job.