LICHTIES FACE TESTING RACE AGAINST TIME, SAYS CAIRD

Arbroath chairman Mike Caird admits the club are facing a race against time to test their players and staff for Covid before Saturday’s match at Queen of the South.

Like all Championship teams, the Angus parttimers now have to conduct weekly PCR testing following yesterday’s ruling from the SFA.

The Red Lichties are trying to organise a time and place for the testing to occur with the governing body needing the results 48 hours before the game at Palmerston.

Caird said: “We are still trying to digest the news, to be honest.

“We are one of only two part-time teams in the Championship so testing will be more difficult for us.

“We have tested before when we were playing in the Betfred Cup but it will just be difficult trying to get it arranged this week.

“We were supposed to be playing Falkirk on Tuesday night in the Scottish Cup but that is now off.

“We were only going to be training on Thursday but now we are trying to organise training for tonight and Wednesday.

“We also have to try to arrange to get the tests done and then get the results back to the SFA 48 hours before the game on Saturday.

“So that’s where we are just now and we will just do what we have to.”

The testing will cost Arbroath around £8,000 per month but Caird admitted the recent government grant that all Championship teams received will cover the expense.

He added: “I think it costs about £2,000 a week to test the players and backroom staff.

“However, we were very grateful to receive a government grant to keep us going.

“It is no secret that the Championship clubs received £500,000 and 50% of the grant has now been paid to us. It is a great boost for the club and will get us through it.

“We obviously want to continue playing football and are looking forward to an important game on Saturday.

“However, we are fully aware that things could change.”