Kilmarnock squad told to self-isolate for 14 days as fixture headache looms for Ayrshire club

Six players have tested positive for Covid-19 this week

Kilmarnock's match against Motherwell tonight at Rugby Park is expected to be postponed.

Kilmarnock's entire playing squad have been instructed by health authorities to self-isolate for 14 days in the wake of six positive Covid-19 cases.

The Ayrshire club reported three cases on Wednesday and a further three positive tests on Thursday. Friday’s Scottish Premiership clash with Motherwell is set to be postponed, while two of Kilmarnock’s Betfred Cup ties in the next two weeks look likely to be cancelled too.

A statement from Scottish football's Joint Response Group on Friday read: "NHS Ayrshire & Arran Test and Protect Team carried out Covid-19 contact tracing following the six confirmed positive tests at the club.

"As a result, the club has been advised by the local Problem Assessment Group that the whole playing squad should self-isolate for a 14-day period. This is in order to minimise the risk of further cases in the staff group and wider local community and to support Test and Protect.

"The SPFL board are meeting this afternoon to discuss the implications for Kilmarnock's fixtures within that period and will issue a statement thereafter."

Killie are due to kick off their Betfred Cup campaign at Falkirk on Tuesday before hosting Dunfermline on October 13 and their next league game is away at Livingston on Saturday, October 17.

With the domestic football calendar already crammed due to the delayed start of the season, Scottish football authorities will face a headache trying to reschedule any matches that have to be postponed.

Alex Dyer’s men currently sit fifth in the Premiership, with 11 points from nine matches.