Government gives football green light to resume
Premiership cleared to start on 1 August
The Scottish Government has given permission for football to restart on 1 August when the Premiership is due to kick off.
Friendlies are also now permitted – Rangers defeated Hamilton 2-1 in a bounce game yesterday – although discussions are ongoing about when the Championship, League 1 and League 2 can return.
Officials at Holyrood say the Premiership can go ahead as scheduled next month behind closed doors with weekly testing and health provisions.
Bounce games and friendlies are allowed for those in the top flight. The Scottish FA hopes to announce the return of lowerleague, non-league, grassroots and women’s football soon.
A statement from the SFA/ SPFL Joint Response Group said: “The Scottish FA board will also discuss an appropriate timeline for the phased lifting of its suspension for other parts of the professional and non-professional game – including the remaining three SPFL divisions, the Scottish football pyramid, women’s football and grassroots – in light of the First Minister’s announcement on phase 3 of the government’s route map out of the Covid-19 crisis.”
Mike Mulraney, the interim Scottish FA president, said: “Scottish football, and the millions of fans for whom the national game is a fabric of their daily lives, are now startadvisers ing to see light at the end of the tunnel.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s approval of the 1 August start date for the Scottish Premiership and the ability for Premiership clubs to prepare for that kick-off immediately. The First Minister’s updated guidance also gives great encouragement for boys and girls across the country that grassroots football for under-18s will soon return.
“The JRG has been in daily liaison with government to get us to this point. I urge everyone to continue to adhere to public health messages to ensure no complacency as the return to football becomes tantalisingly close.”
Neil Doncaster, the SPFL chief executive, said: “Today’s approvals are a significant step forward for Scottish Premiership clubs and provide the necessary clarity to prepare for the new season.
“The ability for clubs to arrange and participate in friendly matches is important on and off the field as momentum builds towards what will be a welcome and exciting return to Scottish football starting 1 August.”
Hibs have signalled their intent for the new season with the captures of striker Kevin Nisbet, winger Drey Wright and midfielder Alex Gogic.
Nisbet, who was the subject of two failed bids from Hibs in January, has signed a fouryear deal after joining from Dunfermline Athletic.
The 23-year-old had suitors from north and south of the Border after his 23-goal haul for the Pars last season. He had been keen on the move during the last transfer window and was eyeing a step up after successful back-to-back campaigns with Raith Rovers and Dunfermline.
Speaking to Hibs’ website, he said: “I’m proud to be a Hibernian player and I’m grateful to the club for giving me this opportunity.
“It’s a new challenge for me and I’m confident – with the help of the staff here – that I can continue to improve as a player and help the team.
“I’ve been working hard on my fitness during the break and I can’t wait to get going.”
Wright, a free agent following his departure from St Johnstone, has signed on for two years. Like Nisbet, there were a number of clubs monitoring his situation but the former Colchester attacker made his mind up early that a move to Hibs was the right decision. He said: “Normally I’d have my future sorted out before heading into the summer break but it’s good to finally have things over the line.
“I’m really happy to be here in the building with all the boys and back to a bit of normality with training.
“From the moment I got off the phone from speaking with the gaffer and [sporting director] Graeme Mathie, it was something I was massively interested in.
“The size of the club didn’t need explaining to me and speaking to boys who had been here or know the place, they all spoke very highly of it so it was quite an easy decision for me to make.”
Wright spent two years at Mcdiarmid Park and was able to call on former teammates Danny Swanson and Liam Craig for advice about making the move to the capital, the midfield duo both turning out for Hibs earlier in their careers.
He added: “Speaking to boys who had been here or know the place, they all spoke very highly of it so it. I’m settled up in Scotland and I had a few options and things to think about, but when it came down to it, Hibs was the one place I wanted to end up.
“Danny Swanson is a Hibs fan and he spent time here, I’m quite close with Liam Craig, too, and both of them spoke very highly about the club, saying it’s a great place to play. I’m looking forward to getting amongst it and getting to play in front of a large crowd.”
Gogic, 26, joins from Hamilton on a two-year deal.
Hibs head coach Jack Ross said: “We’re delighted to have Kevin on board. It’s a position that we wanted to strengthen in and if you look at his profile, and where he is in his career, then I think it’s a really good fit for both parties.”
The arrival of Wright will give Ross more options on the flanks, beyond wingers Martin Boyle and Daryl Horgan.
“The wider area is one of the key areas in the squad we wanted to strengthen,” Ross explained. “Beyond Daryl and Martin there’s not much width, even with the younger players coming through.
“We wanted another option in that area, which allows us to be flexible in how we use Daryl and Martin. Drey’s quick, he’s direct, and he enjoyed a really good season with St Johnstone.”
Nisbet and Wright could play a part in this afternoon’s closed-doors friendly with St Mirren at East Mains.