Ross County v Celtic and Aberdeen v Kilmarnock given green light to be fans' test events

300 home supporters allowed at each game

Celtic and Ross County faced each other in pre-season and will meet in front of 300 fans at Dingwall on Saturday.

Fans will be allowed back into Scottish football this weekend after the Government gave the green light.

The Ross County v Celtic and Aberdeen v Kilmarnock matches on Saturday will be used as test events with 300 home supporters allowed at each.

Rangers had also hoped to use their home game against Dundee United as a test event but this was vetoed following the increase in coronavirus cases in Glasgow and the surrounding area.

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock will be a test event in front of 300 fans.

Scottish rugby has already staged a match with fans, with 700 spectators at Murrayfield for the Edinburgh v Glasgow Pro14 clash on 28 August.

Ross County and Aberdeen have been asked to provide a post-match report on “operational delivery to inform guidance for future pilots and the general resumption of supporters outlined in the Scottish Government Route Map out of the Covid-19 crisis”.

Neil Doncaster, the SPFL chief executive and part of Scottish football’s coronavirus Joint Response Group, said: “We are pleased to have received confirmation of pilot events at two Scottish Premiership fixtures on 12 September and I would like to thank the respective home clubs – and indeed all 12 Premiership clubs – for the comprehensive Return to Supporting plans.

“We look forward to building on the successful all-sport supporter pilot at BT Murrayfield and I know that clubs take the responsibility for the safe return of supporters seriously. This is another significant step forward for Scottish football and I reiterate the importance of fans to our national game.

“The JRG will continue to liaise with all clubs, and especially the home clubs, in the coming week to ensure all protocols and guidance are adhered to and that fans can look forward to a phased return to supporting their respective teams.”

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