FANS BID FOR RUGBYCLASH

FROM BACK PAGE be opened on Saturday as last season’s competition gets back up and running with the first clash between the local rivals.

But those plans were kicked into touch after an outbreak of clusters around the country – and a new proposal to begin filtering spectators back into the home of Scottish rugby six days later have now been lodged with the Sturgeon and her public health advisers.

Edinburgh and the Warriors will go ahead behind closed doors this weekend but the game’s top brass has asked for approval to introduce a limited number of fans with strict socialdistancing in place when the sides meet again.

Record Sport first revealed the SRU had joined forces with Celtic in a bid to convince politicians fans can be safely returned to Murrayfield and Celtic Park.

But Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell’s plan to take off the padlocks for a pre-season friendly at the end of July was turned down by Sturgeon and her clinicians.

The SFA had also targeted a possible pilot match in September when Israel come to Hampden for the opening of the Nations League campaign.

But that was sunk by UEFA who have declared supporters should be locked out for at least the first two rounds.

Now rugby hopes to be the first sport to showcase how spectators can be safely brought back into grounds all over the country.

A source told us last night: “All relevant parties including the council and local transport have been supportive of the proposal and discussions have been positive up until this point.

“It’s critical for the financial wellbeing of both rugby and football crowds are able to return in a safe, sterile environment so there’s a great deal resting on what happens next.”