Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Reid hopes to avoid new era false start
Boss Brian Reid hopes that the Covid- 19 outbreak doesn’t impact the return of football at Albion Rovers – with clubs facing a forfeit dilemma ahead of the restart.
The SPFL last week unveiled the plans for kicking off the competition on October 10 with lower league clubs facing a tough choice if a player tests positive for the virus.
While there remains no requirement for routine swab testing in relation to Championship, League One or League
Two matches, players who test positive before a Betfred Cup tie will be asked to self-isolate.
The governing body have announced that any players who test positive will be forced to self-isolate and teams will face a 3-0 forfeit if they cannot honour a tie.
However, lower league sides will not be asked to swab test unless they are facing a Premiership Colt team in the Challenge Cup.
Reid is looking forward to his first competitive game as Rovers boss against Ayr, and hopes the testing protocol doesn’t derail the plans at Cliftonhill.
“I’m concerned that this virus is continuing on but I’m hoping it doesn’t affect the football,” he said. “We just need to try and get on with it and hope for the best and try to avoid the politics of it.
“Things are changing daily but we have to treat it like we will be playing games when the Betfred Cup starts, but there is now way to predict what is going to happen.”
The Coatbridge gaffer is also looking to dip into the transfer market once again to add to the goalkeeping position, with Ryan Goodfellow injured and Chris Smith suspended for the Cliftonhill opener.
He said: “The worry is that if both of them are not available we will need another goalkeeper early in the season.
“I am going to keep our bases covered with the goalkeeping situation.
“We are still going to be looking at bringing in two or three others because I do think we are just a wee bit short.”
Reid has also handed a first-team deal to under- 21 star Kyle Doherty ahead of the new season.
On the 18-year-old said: “He’s a good lad and a good professional and I’m excited about him.
“I think he’s got a right good chance in the game. We have three or four players out injured just now so our under-21 team has boosted the squad.”