Bosses at the SFA and SPFL have told clubs to get ready for 'business as usual' after the winter break.

Scotland's top flight clubs were given a massive shot in the arm on Wednesday when they were advised to start planning for full capacity crowds as soon as the winter shut down is over.

Record Sport understands the ‘prepare for full steam ahead’ message was sent out from Hampden’s sixth floor late on Wednesday afternoon following the First Minister’s latest Covid update to parliament.

Although fears remain that the government may still be planning to restrict mass gatherings until later this year, football’s Joint Response Group have now told clubs to expect ‘business as usual’ when the second half of the top flight campaign gets underway this month.

And, despite some initial uncertainty caused by the wording of Nicola Sturgeon’s online address, the football authorities are confident the return of bumper crowds should now begin when Celtic take on Hibs at Parkhead on Monday January 17 - followed by a packed midweek fixture card 24 hours later.

Hopes of Scotland’s Six Nations rugby opener against England on February 5 being played in front of a full house at Murrayfield are also sky high despite a plan to play the whole tournament in England to avoid crowd restrictions.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and his SPFL counterpart Neil Doncaster were involved in the JRG talks which were convened as a response to the FM’s greatly anticipated briefing.


It was also agreed during those discussions that the national game will ask for a £2m slice of the £5m crisis fund which the FM announced has been set aside for Scottish sport to help cover the costs of the ongoing battle against coronavirus.