FULL STEAM AHEAD
St Mirren have been given the green light to go full steam ahead into their 2020/21 Scottish Premiership campaign.
The SPFL were handed written approval by the Scottish Government yesterday to progress their plans for an August 1 kick-off.
This means the Buddies will return to competitive action as planned with an opening behind- closed- doors match against Livingston at the Simple Digital Arena.
Furthermore, Premiership clubs were handed permission to arrange friendlies with other top flight clubs to get back up to speed.
That means the Saints will be allowed to travel through to Edinburgh today to take on former manager Jack Ross’ Hibs at their East Mains training ground for their first bounce game.
The return to the pitch will be their first since March 11, when Jim Goodwin’s men beat Hearts 1-0 in a crucial game that helped secure their top flight status.
Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “The approvals are a significant step forward for Scottish Premiership clubs and provide the necessary clarity to prepare for the new season.
“The ability for clubs to arrange and participate in friendly matches is important on and off the field as momentum builds towards what will be a welcome and exciting return to Scottish football, starting on August 1.”
Mike Mulraney, interim Scottish FA president, added: “Scottish football, and the millions of fans for whom the national game is a fabric of their daily lives, are now starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.
“We welcome the Sc o t t i s h Government’s approval of the August 1 start date for the Scottish Premiership and the ability for Premiership clubs to prepare for that kick-off immediately.
“The First Minister’s updated guidance also gives great encouragement for boys and girls across the country that grassroots football for under-18s will soon return.”
a newspaper
Reach PLC aims to manage its business to minimise environmental impacts, is committed to reducing the waste we produce and maximising the recycling and reuse of waste. Reach Printing Services Ltd is committed to source newsprint from sustainably managed forests, is independently audited and continues to meet the certification requirements of standards: ■ ISO 14001:2015 EMS (BMT-1420) ■ ISO 9001: 2015 QMS (BMT-6396 ) ■ ISO 45001: 2018 OHSMS (BMT-318) ■ PEFC ST 2002:2013 Chain of Custody (BMT-PEFC-0949) ■ FSC-STD-40 (V3.0) EN and FSC-STD-50-001 (V2.0) EN for FSC® Chain of Custody (TT-COC-003396)