(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes has given his backing to Championship rivals Partick Thistle in their bid to see restrictions on supporters lifted in time for Friday’s meeting between the two sides at Firhill.
The Scottish Government have confirmed restrictions will be lifted from Monday but that means the Friday night fixture will, as things stand, only go ahead with 500 fans in attendance.
While the game will be shown live on TV, Partick have appealed to Holyrood to lift the restrictions earlier than planned and McInnes has thrown his weight behind that, saying: “The news on Tuesday that the restrictions would be lifted from Monday was obviously very pleasing because there was still a bit of debate about that.
“But being so close to Monday, we fully support Partick’s request to get more fans inside the ground.
“We would like our supporters to be included in that.
“We are obviously still respectful of the situation. But if there is a way that Partick can be successful then we would support that to try and get as many in the ground as possible.
“It’s two well-supported clubs, a good game in the context of our championship and even though it’s live on TV there would still be a significant crowd.
“If there is a way we can find a way to get more fans in then great, but if not it’s the last weekend we are going to be restricted and we can then move forward.
“As a club here, part of the attraction is the fact that you know the support is here.
“We made reference to that on Saturday to the players prior to the game away to Queen of the South.
“We didn’t have any supporters there but we know who we represent.
“For us to try and be as strong as we possibly can be between now and the end of the season we need to try and utilise the support we have.”
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