Waters hopes the SPFL don’t stamp out celebrations
KILMARNOCK V HAMILTON ACCIES
KILMARNOCK defender Calum Waters believes asking players not to celebrate a goal would be a step too far in the coronavirus guidelines.
The Rugby Park side take on a Hamilton Accies squad shorn of four players due to Covid- 19, three of whom are thought to have contracted the virus after a mass celebration following their winning goal last weekend against Livingston.
Waters says the Kilmarnock players have been following protocols to try to minimise the risk but felt it would be impossible to quash the instantaneous rush to celebrate a goal.
The full- back said: “The players have all been told to be careful. But in the moment, what can you do?
“Hamilton had just scored a last- minute winner. Are they expected just to run back to their own half and not celebrate? It’s so hard.
“We are getting tested regularly and everyone is trying their very best to follow the protocols. But when you score a last- minute winner, it’s the best feeling. So it’s only natural you’d want to celebrate.
“We are all used to the testing and protocols now. It’s our job at the end of the day so we want to do everything we can to ensure it doesn’t get stopped.
“The testing isn’t very pleasant but it has to be done. The boys like a good moan about it but we want to train and play so we need to get on with it.
“Lockdown showed how lucky we are to be playing football for a job, so we can’t take it for granted.”
Meanwhile, Scott McMann insists depleted Hamilton will not travel to Kilmarnock today with pre- packed excuses.
Manager Brian Rice will be without eight players for the Premiership match at Rugby Park.
Four players, one of whom is defender Lee Hodson, will miss out due to Covid- 19 issues while another four are injured leaving Rice unlikely to field a full bench.
McMann, who returns to the side after suspension, insists Accies will deal with
the situation. The 24- yearold defender said: “We are not looking to make any excuses. We have plenty of players to choose from so no excuses.
“Obviously it’s not ideal preparation going into the match on Saturday but all we can do is focus on the game at the weekend. That’s the most important thing.
“I think most teams are going to experience something like with us throughout the season.
“Again, what we can do is just deal with it. Obviously we’d rather not be in a situation but we’ll deal with it and look forward to the weekend.”
Rice will need to dip into his youth academy again to make up the numbers.
McMann watched 18- year- old Kyle Munro score a late winner against Livingston last week in his first start for the club and is confident of more talent coming through the ranks.
He said: “It was a brilliant result. Kyle came in and scored the winner which was excellent for him. I couldn’t be happier for him.
“It is same every season. There’s always new boys coming through the ranks and getting a chance and staying in a team so no doubt more can come in this season.
“We never give in, we always play to the final whistle, we never know when we are beaten. It’s a good quality to have in a team.
“I think we’ve got an abundance of it so hopefully we can keep doing that and sneaking results when no one fancies us.”