Forget football and look after your families during coronavirus crisis, says Buckie Thistle manager Graeme Stewart
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BUCKIE Thistle boss Graeme Stewart says football isn't important when the country is in lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Highland League made the decision to cancel their season last month, while the SPFL still ponders their next step while the country is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic.
While some north clubs have issued training programmes to players to keep them ticking over until football returns, Jags manager Stewart is putting club matters to one side for now.
"There’s bigger priorities to be honest," he said. "I know some teams are dishing out fitness plans and I think that’s a bit ridiculous to be totally honest.
"There’s more important things to concentrate on.
"We are going to have lots of time once we are back so I am just telling the boys that if they want to keep their fitness up then perfect. If not, then don’t worry. I will get them fit when they come back.
"Right now you’ve got to look after your family, look after people that need the care."
Stewart says he has faith in his squad to look after themselves over the coming months without him having to give them specific instructions.
"Our guys are all professional so I don’t even need to tell them to keep their fitness up. They are all doing it.
"They don’t want to be unfit and don’t need somebody in their ear annoying them, they will just do it themselves.
"It’s a natural thing, just about every one of my players has played full-time and know what they’ll have to do to keep their fitness so there’s no need to be putting it down their throat.
"We will just concentrate on the things that are more important in life and once there’s a bit of clarity hopefully in the next few weeks or maybe months, we can then look at things like football and the pre-season schedule.
"I take my football so serious but I don’t see the need to be giving players fitness plans just now.
"Even in full-time football just now it would be ridiculous to do that just now. People have got to look at priorities right now, like staying at home, looking after older family members, getting food, things like that."
