Players flock to SFA amid fear for their futures

basis. He insists the SFA, in conjunction with the players’ union, PFA Scotland, are prioritising mental well-being as much as physical health as they try to find a way to restart football.

Dr MacLean said: “We have the Support Within Sport programme – which has been up and running over the last three or four years – run largely by my colleague Dr Katie Stewart at Hampden working really closely with the PFA, particularly Michelle Evans.

“We have a really good group of sports medicine docs with experience in mental health. We have clinical psychologists, addiction and gambling counsellors, we have a consultant psychiatrist and can provide pretty much instant access to players, staff and referees across the

SPFL and women’s Premiership.

“There’s a steady number that come through the programme and we get new referrals every day or couple of days.

“We would expect that to ramp up as things like health, contracts, uncertainty over things like finance, all these things are pertinent right now. The PFA does a great job of publicising the service and it will be invaluable for players going forward.

“We’ve found the times of biggest conflict are young players not getting a new contract, older players out of contract, long-term injured players and players who are distant from their families – central belt players in the Highlands or vice-versa, and foreign players not with their family.

“We’ve had 300-plus over the years we have been operating. We have an app that people can come on to us. There’s a phone number that is either answered right away or there’s a quick phone back.”