LEAGUE SHUTDOWN

The coronavirus outbreak has shutdown football across Scotland for the foreseeable future.

Being without the beautiful game moving forward is a strange thought but completely understandable as the world attempts to halt the spread of COVID-19.

Saturday afternoons may not return to normality for a substantial length of time as St Johnstone wait for a possible date to get going again.

McDiarmid Park fans are already feeling a tad lost without their fix of football and this week the Perthshire Advertiser caught up with some of them.

We went in search of their views on what should happen with the current campaign, what they have made of Saints’ season and just what supporting the club means.

Here is what they said...

Jamie McKay (26) Perth

“I’m not a fan of the current shutdown as my weekends have been boring without any football - and sport in general. But it was the right decision.

“I feel the best way forward for the current campaign would be to try and get to the split before deciding final league placings, if that’s what it had to come down to.

“I don’t think it would be fair to start awarding league titles and relegation when all the games haven’t been completed.

“The season so far has been somewhat of a rollercoaster with an uphill slog at the start, but Tommy turned the corner quite quickly as he has so often done over the years.

“Since the winter break we’ve been on a great run and had some brilliant away wins thrown in at the likes of Tynecastle and Pittodrie, which are not easy venues to go to.

“St Johnstone mean a great deal to me. I enjoy going every week and it’s also a great chance to visit different cities in Scotland while socialising with friends.”

Ian Simpson Slater (66) Köln (Germany) “The shutdown is obviously necessary, though living through self-isolation is harder without the distraction of football.

“I worry about the financial impact on Saints, but other clubs are in worse straits.

“I doubt that it will be possible to complete the 2019/20 fixture list, even through the summer.

“Second-best option would be to complete the fixtures up to the split, then award the championships, but probably no relegation/promotions.

“Next season might have to be curtailed too.

“The recovery since October has been amazing and everyone - especially the manager - deserves great credit. It’s been the proverbial rollercoaster.

“The squad is very strong now, so we need to retain our key players.

“Supporting Saints has always meant a lot to me, since I was a bairn in Jeanfield. I sometimes wish I didn’t care so much.

“It’s like a love affair, irrational with plenty agony and ecstasy along the way.

“Alex Ferguson was my first Saints hero and I had a great chat with him about that at Old Trafford recently.

“If only my father and grandfather could have been with me at the final, but I can still hardly believe that I saw Saints win the Scottish Cup.”

Craig Middleton (20) St Madoes

“I was gutted but I definitely think it was the sensible thing to do considering everything that is going on.

“I just hope we can get back to normal as soon as possible because I’ve been bored senseless ever since.

“I hate the thought of a football match where no fans are able to attend, but it could potentially be the best option to finish the league.

“Even if they were just to play the remaining games before the split, then at least everybody has played everybody three times.

“I understand the argument to award the league positions as they are now but it is gutting for a lot of teams who are on the verge of progressing up the league, as it can be worth a lot of money.

“Obviously Saints are right on Hibs’ tail and well within reach of Livi too.

“Considering the form we have been on it wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest Saints could finish fifth which would be a big cash boost.

“I missed a lot of the start of the season due to work commitments and so my first game was actually our first win of the season against Hamilton.

“It really has been an excellent turn around as things were looking pretty dire for a while.

“Getting Liam Gordon back was like a new signing and Jamie McCart has been superb since joining us in January.