Ross County could allow 500 fans in for test game against Celtic if given approval
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CHAIRMAN Roy MacGregor says between 300 to 500 people may be allowed into the Global Energy Stadium to watch Ross County play Celtic on Saturday.
He says he is confident the game will be selected to be a test pilot to let fans back into stadiums this weekend.
As things stand, Premiership clubs will be allowed to welcome back a limited number of fans into stadiums from Monday.
It is planned that up to three matches this weekend will serve as test games to see if protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus work.
Speaking on Radio Scotland show Sportsound, he said: “It hasn’t been officially announced, but everything from our end is there to make it happen and we’re waiting for the final nod.
“The policy was this game would be a test game and we are waiting to see when they will give a positive answer.
“I think we’ve got to be realistic, the game will be a test event.
“We would rather between 300 and 500 fans, something that we could work with and test out to trial. Everything is on paper at the moment, we need to make sure it works from the car park to the seats in the stands.
“Health and safety is the responsibility of the club.”
MacGregor says he doesn’t expect all seats to become available in stadiums this season, saying at the Global Energy Stadium, only a quarter of seats might be available for this campaign.
“I think it will be a challenge, we’re up and down as an economy and we’re probably facing up to the fact there won’t be away fans.
“Travelling will be an issue.
“With social distancing at two metres we could get 1700 in the stadium, but we have more than that in season ticket holders.
“The traditional walk-ups or away fans is probably not going to happen.
“It is making sure we can satisfy our season ticket holders as that might even be a problem, having them every week.”
MacGregor says games without fans in stadiums has been a strange experience and is looking forward to letting a limited number of supporters back in grounds this month.
“I’ve sat through seven games with no fans and it is very surreal,” he said.
“Just to have a number of fans where we don’t have artificial noise and have real fans in the ground there will be a joy.”
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