Nicola Sturgeon on the dates she would “really love” to see fans return for as Celtic wait

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stated that she would “really love” to see fans back in stadiums by June in a big boost for Celtic supporters ahead of the new season.

The Hoops fans have been locked out of Parkhead throughout the 2020/21 campaign due to the global health pandemic. Throughout that period, there have been signs of hope only for them to be dashed by more surges.

However, finally, for the first time since the first lockdown, there appears to be a proper way back to normality thanks to the vaccination program. In turn, that has plenty of people wondering what aspects of our lives will open up first.

And as she answered questions this afternoon, Sturgeon confirmed she wants at least some fans back for Scotland’s Euro 2021 fixtures in June.

As quoted by the Daily Record, she said: “I hope soon. I hope that before too long, in some competition or other, fans will be able to be in Somerset Park to watch Ayr United beat Killie. But I can’t put a date on it right now.

“I really, really want these matches to go ahead at Hampden and I would really love for them to go ahead with some spectators there to see them, particularly with Scotland for the first time in a long, long time. That’s what we’re really focused on and we’ll do everything to bring that about, but sitting here right now in early March it’s not possible to give hard, fast, definitive answers on this.

“But there’s no suggestion other than we want these matches to go ahead and certainly I would love to think I’ll be there cheering on Scotland at Hampden with more than a few others alongside me if that’s safe and possible.”

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These are promising comments from the First Minister. With the prospect of potentially going back into stadiums by the summer, it bolsters hope ahead of next season.

For Celtic fans, it will be interesting to see what effect this has on the team. And, equally, how it will affect our rivals who have come under next to no pressure this season. Getting fans back into stadiums could have a major part to play on the pitch.

Of course, most importantly, it’s massive for people and their mental health for stadiums to open up once again. Football can play such a key role in communities in a multitude of ways. Opening their gates to fans is massive for Scotland.

Whilst a date hasn’t been firmly set, Sturgeon has made her intentions clear. The plan is to have some supporters at Hampden in June for games on the 14th and 22nd.  That will also come around just under two months before the new season begins. Hopefully, by that point, there will be scope to have large parts of stadiums filled if not all of it.

For now, it’s all speculation as to how this could look. But a phased return looks more than likely. Especially considering so much focus is going into a gradual lifting of restrictions.

But Sturgeon has finally given football some hope. With her eyes set on June, it bodes well for the new season.

In other news, 67HailHail writer Euan Davidson discussed what Celtic fans want to see in their new manager.