Scottish football fans 'pretty much no chance' of August return, says Jason Leitch - Celtic chief disagrees

Test events with fans could take place in August and September

Crowds returning to Scottish football for the start of the season is unlikely, according to the Scottish Government’s national clinical director.

Professor Jason Leitch believes fans may be able to support their teams at grounds from October in a physically distanced setting with test events possibly taking place in August and September.

With restrictions being lifted in the country as Scotland follows its route map out of lockdown there was hope that the start of the season could see supporters in attendance with the live outdoor events possible under consideration on 23 July.

Jason Leitch reckons there is pretty much no chance to fans returning to games in August. Picture: SNS

“I think we’re saying pretty much no chance for crowds in August,” Leitch told the BBC. “I can’t imagine physically distanced crowds in August or September. I might be wrong, and with a fair wind we might get there.

“I think we might run some test events during that two month period. It might be a big match but a small test event crowd. Either rugby, football, maybe both and then thinking about into the autumn or into the winter.

“I would hope, if things remain good, then we might be able to get back to physically distanced crowds.”

Celtic chief Peter Lawwell expressed his desire for supporters to get back to stadiums, using a number of examples from around Europe where crowds are back, while noting the importance of gate receipt money.

“These are all great signs of the progress being made around Europe and, here in Scotland, we have been working with the SRU to show that we can do something similar,” he told the Daily Record.

“We thank them for their help and we are working towards hosting a test event in a pre-season friendly towards the end of July. We hope we can work in collaboration with the SRU and the Government to get it up and running.”