FANS CAN’T BE RUSHED BACK UNTIL IT’S SAFE, SAYS RICE

HAMILTON ACCIES head coach Brian Rice believes the return of fans to stadia should not be fast-tracked — and only allowed when it is shown to be safe. Rice insists the progress which has been made in Scotland in reducing the threat and spread of Covid-19 would be at risk by letting supporters back inside grounds too soon. The Premiership campaign is set to kick off behind closed doors on August 1, with the Scottish Government’s national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch stating that he hopes socially-distanced crowds may be allowed in by October, but also intimated that may not be the case. Rice understands clubs’ desire to get supporters back through the turnstiles as soon as possible for financial reasons but is adamant it should not be rushed for fear of risking another spike in infection rates. Happy to follow official guidelines on when fans are allowed back in, the Accies boss said: ‘It’s a very difficult thing to achieve and no one knows (how best to do it), even the city of Leicester has been put back into lockdown again. ‘I don’t think we should be taking any chances. No footballer wants to play behind closed doors. ‘I was watching a video of Jock Stein where he was saying football without the fans isn’t football. ‘I agree to a certain extent because we are in the game to entertain the supporters, to play in front of crowds. ‘Having no fans there will be very strange but it’s something we will all have to get used to. So, if it’s (fans to return) in October, it’s October. If it’s later, it’s later. Safety is paramount, that must always comes first. ‘I’ve never been involved in a closed-doors game but I’ve been watching them since it started in Germany. They now have the fan noise and the cardboard cut-outs. ‘Everyone is trying everything they can to make it better but it all has to be safe. We’ll just have to go with the Government guidelines. ‘People have been asked for months to stay indoors. We’ve come this far, so it would be crazy for us to risk that now.’ With senior players Alex Gogic, Blair Alston and Aaron McGowan having left Hamilton last month, Rice will again put his faith in youth as the club strive to retain their Premiership status.

Given the financial constraints clubs will endure because of the pandemic, he believes more will turn to their youngsters and hopes Accies have an advantage over their rivals as they have always been prepared to play their promising kids. ‘Last season, we blooded several of them and they proved they could handle it,’ said Rice. ‘That gives me an advantage over some clubs who are maybe having to throw in untested kids. ‘Hamilton have always had a policy of getting kids in and giving them a chance of playing in the first team, but they have to be good enough. ‘There are three from our Under-18s who I believe will be ready six months down the line and, hopefully, they will get a run of games towards the end of the season.’