Hearts given green light for training return on Monday

Hearts will be able to resume first-team training on Monday after the Scottish football Joint Response Group gave the Championship, Leagues One and Two the green light to return to football.

The Jambos had been told to stop all senior footballing activity last week in the wake of eight Aberdeen players and Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli breaking coronavirus restrictions, sparking outrage that the Tynecastle outfit had been punished for actions of top-flight clubs.

Robbie Neilson’s squad had been back training at their Oriam base since August 3 and had invested heavily in coronavirus testing and social distancing measures to make their base as safe as possible. Hearts were the delivered a further blow when English League One side Hull City had been given permission to use their facilities while they were forced to sit idle.

However, the Jambos and the rest of the non-Premiership clubs will be permitted to train as of next week, with Edinburgh City understood to be aiming for a resumption on Tuesday night if all precautions can be put in place. Both teams start their competitive matches in the Betfred Cup in early October.

“This is a significant and hugely positive step forward for the whole of Scottish football and means that training can resume for both the professional and grassroots game from Monday,” said Rod Petrie, the Joint Response Group Chair.

“I understand the sacrifices players, coaches and clubs have been forced to make to get to this point but the health of the nation remains our absolute priority. Through the JRG and its grassroots sub group we have worked hard since yesterday’s announcement from the First Minister to put the latest government advice into context for the professional and non-professional game and to make the message as clear and as simple as possible.

“Training can resume on Monday in line with government’s ongoing social distancing measures and advice and, if the virus continues to be contained in Scotland, then the path to competitive football matches being played by October is tangible.

“We must continue to be vigilant and respect the guidance and protocols that are in place but on the JRG calls with Championship, League One and League Two today you could sense the anticipation to get football back and I know from my board colleague, Thomas McKeown, that the announcement has been met with similar excitement across the grassroots game.”

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “This is a major milestone in getting our game fully up and running again.”

“It’s hard to overstate the significance of this development for clubs outwith the Premiership, which can now start preparing with confidence for the Betfred Cup on 6 October.

“The next crucial step will be allowing Scottish football fans back into games, based on the comprehensive range of safety measures which have been developed by clubs in close consultation with health experts.

“Discussions on pilot events at Premiership matches are now under way and everyone is determined, for the sake of the Scottish game as a whole, to ensure these go smoothly and safely.”