Dicker calls on government to ‘ see sense’ and give green light for fans’ return
● Kilmarnock captain fears for future of clubs if supporters remain locked out
Kilmarnock skip per Gary Dicker says it is time First Minister Ni cola Sturgeon allowed Scottish football to open its doors just like pubs and restaurants.
The Rugby Park captain is worried about what the future holds for the game after plans to welcome back fans were shelved by the Scottish Government in response to a new wave of coronavirus cases.
And he cannot work out why the hospitality sector is still allowed to serve customers in confined spaces when supporters are currently locked out of the country’s stadiums.
He said: “It’s worrying for everyone. It’s the unknown for football clubs and what happens next.
“It has been difficult not having fans in. We had them back in up at Aberdeen and I can’t see why you can’t have fans in if they are social- distancing.
“I don’t think there were any problems up at Pittodrie, you could have had even more in.
“It does give you a lift to see people in and it gives them a lift, too. I think the league needs that boost. They are opening up pubs and restaurants but you can social- distance in a stadium better than anywhere.
“Hopefully they will see sense and allow the fans back in, as long as they aren’t putting people at risk. There is enough space inside and outside of the grounds.
“I can see why the government have taken these measures but then I don’t understand why you can do all the other stuff. I can’t understand how you can cram into a pub or a restaurant but can’t sit ten seats away from someone inside a stadium.”
Killie face another behindclosed- doors clash in Paisley today as they take on St Mirren but there will be a few familiar faces for Irishman Dicker in the Buddies’ line- up.
Compatriot Jim Goodwin has looked across these a to recruit Conor Mccarthy, Jamie Mcgrath and Dylan Connolly this year, while defender Joe Shaughnessy got his big break at Aberdeen after coming through the youth ranks in his native Galway.
And Dicker is delighted to see so many of his countrymen getting an opportunity in Scotland.
“It’s good to see,” said the former University College Dublin midfielder. “We’ve got a few Irish boys in here now too. Alan Power and me have got a bit of back- up with Danny Rogers and Colin Doyle.
“I think the League of Ireland has always been a good breeding ground. It’s where I started my career and people are now realising it’s a good market to look at.
“Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers have been in the Europa League so they have a lot of talent over there. It’s good to see more Irish lads coming across.
“St Mirren have got a good squad. They’ve been a bit unlucky with a few results. I saw them against Celtic and they did well so it will be a tough game.”
St Mirr en manager Jim Good win, meanwhile, is delighted to welcome back two goalkeepers for this afternoon’s visit of Kilmarnock but he will have to do more reshuffling of his defence.
First- choice goalkeeper Jak Alnwick and back- up Dean Lyness are back after positive Covid- 19 tests forced them to miss three games. Goodwin, pictured, had called upon Zdenek Zlamal of Hearts on an emergency loan as Saints’ losing run stretched to four matches.
A promising start to the season unravelled when centre-back Shaughnessy was sent off while the Buddies were on their way to a third win and clean sheet in four matches.
Ten- man Ross County levelled and Saints struggled during Shaughnessy’s two- match ban before the goalkeeper situation was compounded by Richard Tait getting sent off for a rash challenge on Logan Chalmers during a 2- 1 defeat at Dundee United last weekend. The full- back’s two- match ban now gives Goodwin another headache.
“Richard knows it was a really poor decision,” Goodwin said. “We had a conversation about it on Monday and he has held his hands up and apologised and he wishes it had never happened. As soon as he made the tackle he knew it was a poor one and there’s no arguments from us.
“Like every manager you are desperate to get your strongest XI on the park. We have had extreme difficulty doing that with positive tests and suspensions to key players.
“We are not blessed with great depth in the squad, particularly in that defensive area. So we will have to move things around in there again.”