Aberdeen demand a ‘timeline’ for restarting fans test events
Aberdeen have urged the Scottish Government to map out a clear pathway for the return of football supporters to grounds.
The Dons had a successful test event with 300 supporters at their home game against Kilmarnock on September 12, but a more widespread return of fans was later delayed amid rising Covid-19 cases.
Aberdeen asked to hold a further test when they host Celtic on Saturday with 1,000 fans but their request was denied.
A club statement read: "The Scottish Government' s response was that they are not actively considering pilot events at the moment given the national outlook and current restrictions, however they hope to move quickly at the appropriate point."
Chairman Dave Cormack, who has received backing from Aberdeen City Council in his pursuit of more events, added: "We're only asking for a timeline towards resuming test events - we're not seeking anything that would not comply with the current restrictions or take account of the current Covid situation.
"Our first test represented only 1.5 percent of the stadium capacity and all we are asking is to increase that to 10 per cent. At the outset of the pandemic( Scotland' s national clinical director) Prof essor Jason Leitch told a meeting of all Premiership clubs that having fans in stadiums outdoors, in the fresh air, was much more palatable than indoor events.
"It's therefore with growing frustration that we are forced to sit back and watch the discrepancies which allow passenger son full flights with no social distancing, people participating in indoor activities, or the new restrictions on alcohol in licensed premises which are inadvertently pushing people into unregulated and unauthorised gatherings in homes. Since running our test event back in September which demonstrated that, with our rigorous protocols and procedures in place, we could safely accommodate significantly larger crowds, we've heard nothing concrete about steps towards getting fans safely back to football."
Aberdeen face Hamilton at home tonight (Tuesday).
Aberdeen manager Derek Mc Inn es is set to welcome back striker Sam Cos grove days after bemoaning his absence in a goalless draw with Dundee United.
Aberdeen dominated at Tannadice on Saturday as United defended deep but could not find a breakthrough and MCInnes admitted they could have done with a penalty-box striker.
Now Cos grove could be involved for the first time this season at home to Hamilton tonight.
The 23-year- old suffered a knee injury ahead of the campaign and another for ward, Curtis Main, remains out with a persistent thigh problem.
Loan striker Ryan Edmondson has also had injury problems and is yet to start a game, although he is fit now, which means another temporary signing, former Inverness winger Marley Watkins, has been left to lead the line.
Cosgrove offers a different type of option to Watkins and Mcinnes is delighted with the growing strength of his squad.
He said: "When the games have been open we have enjoyed it. We h ave a lot of speed in the team, whether it' s( Con nor) Mclennan, (Jonny) Hayes, Watkins ,( Ryan) Hedges, (Scott) Wright, those attacking options, when they have been at their best we have a lot of space afforded to us.
"When teams defend their box like United did on Saturday for a lot of the game, we could have done with somebody there wit habit of presence, a penalty-box striker, an experienced striker like big S am, someone that makes them think twice about defending that deep.
"We got into so many good positions, I think we had 36 crosses, 18 shots, umpteen setplays. So it's not just down to having a main striker there, a traditional No 9. We need everybody to contribute.
"But it's clear that someone like big Sam, who has been our top goalscorer and talisman for the last couple of seasons, I think would have posed teams like United on Saturday, and other games this season, a few more problems from defending so deeply."
As well as Cosgrove, recent signing Greg Leigh, Scotland defender Michael Devlin and winger Matty Kennedy are in contention following injury.
"None of the four of them will start but having the four back in and around things is very pleasing," Mcinnes said.
"The strength of the squad on Sunday... a training session straight after a match day can sometimes be a tough one for those players to get up for, but when I saw the strength of it in terms of numbers and also the quality that we had, from the substitutes and these boys, it was such a strong training session.”
Watkins is looking for ward to getting more help up front with Cosgrove's return.
"His goal scoring record speaks for itself ," said the player on loan from Bristol City. "He is more of a target man and I'm more running channels or trying to get on the ball so I think we can do really well together.”
"Some games you have just got to be patient and occupy the centre-halves and not be too much involved in the game which is frustrating but whatever is b est for the team. Sam is a unit so he will be good to play with .” "In the past when I' ve played up top it' s always been with another striker, but I have done all right up there. It' s just good to have options obviously."