Fans won't return until virus breaches stop, warns Dyer

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer has warned that fans will suffer if footballers keep breaching coronavirus rules.

Dyer’s men are fresh off a 1-1 home draw with Celtic, in a game that saw visiting left-back Boli Bolingoli come on in the latter stages despite having just returned from Spain.

Bolingoli breached club rules by leaving the country and should have self-isolated for 14 days on his return.

The Belgian’s decision, along with eight Aberdeen players now self-isolating after a pub visit, has resulted in both clubs having their next two games postponed.

Celtic’s midweek game against St Mirren and Aberdeen versus Hamilton will now be moved to a later date, as will the weekend’s fixture when they were supposed to be playing each other.

Kilmarnock’s games are still clear to go ahead, but Dyer fears any further breaches could have serious repercussions.

He said: “All you can do is look after your own house. Once they go off on their own outside training, you can’t lock them up, you have to trust them.

“It’s worrying times because everyone has worked hard behind the scenes to put up a united front.

“We want supporters back in the stadium as well and when people do the wrong things and they step out of line, it pushes everything back.

“We can only look after your own house. If everyone looks after your own house, collectively, we can get football going in the right direction and people back in the stadium.”

Dyer says he has been in contact with Neil Lennon over the issue and doesn’t blame the Celtic manager.

He said: “I know Celtic will do the right thing. I know they didn’t know because I know Neil and I know what he’s like as a human being, I know some of the staff there and they are good people. So I know that they wouldn’t have put a lad out in front if they knew beforehand.

“It’s a mistake and we have to move on.”

Dyer, who is also assistant to Scotland manager Steve Clarke, made it clear that all clubs now know there will be serious consequences for everyone if there is a repeat.

He said: “I hope from now on there’s no more – I keep saying the word mishap, but it’s more than that – but I hope there’s no more of this situation in the future.

“We had a meeting yesterday and everyone was told to put their house in order and if it doesn’t happen, we know the consequences.

“It’s not just the football club that suffers, it’s the supporters. We need them back in the ground. Football is not the same and hopefully if we keep doing the right thing we can get them back in the stadium.”

Kilmarnock will travel to the Highlands to play Ross County on Wednesday night.