Rory: We will all be walking a tightrope over Christmas
Rory Mckenzie admits Scotland’s top-flight footballers are walking a Covid tightrope over the festive season.
The Kilmarnock attacker has spoken out about the pressure that players are facing.
His club are waiting to hear if they will be successful in appealing the punishment handed down after an SPFL investigation found them guilty of protocol breaches.
They were given a suspended £ 40,000 fine and a postponed game was awarded to Motherwell with a 3-0 walkover victory.
Killie face Aberdeen at home today – the first of five fixtures in 13 days.
Mckenzie is angry at the way Killie have been treated in the aftermath of their coronavirus outbreak.
Further punishment could have far- reaching consequences for the club.
He said: “It’s a pandemic, we felt we were doing everything right and we were unlucky. It’s not just Kilmarnock that got this virus.
“So we thought we were getting it right but we’ve had to change a lot more because that’s the way the SPFL are going to work.
“If there’ s another outbreak over Christmas, say, and we have to isolate for two weeks, what then?
“Do we lose five games? Get deducted 15 points?
“We need to be careful, we’re well aware of it and we had a meeting with the doctor the other day.
“It’s Christmas, they’re relaxing the rules, supposedly allowing you to see one or two people you maybe haven’t seen – it just brings in a whole new kettle of fish.
“It has been a terrible year for everyone. For some people, this will be the only time they’ve seen anyone for months.
“We are lucky, we have been able to go out and play, but we want to see our family as much as anyone else.
“But it’s different from other people’s jobs, if we’re unlucky enough to pick up the virus, it could cost the team, big time.
”And it would be through no fault of your own.
“We’v e been given guidelines about Christmas. Am I going to get close to people, hug, things like that? Probably not. You need to be smart about it.
“But I want to see my mum and dad, I want to see my brother, it’s Christmas. I’ll be doing what I’m allowed to do.”
The 27- year- old clearly feels that understanding, not punishment, would be more appropriate.
He added: “I feel passionate about this.
“What if it comes down to us being in the bottom two by a point, or being relegated by a point?
“I have to watch what I say before the appeal, but I hope they see sense.
“It’s motivation for us. There’s anger in there.”
This afternoon Killie will be trying to beat Aberdeen at Rugby Park for the first time after 17 unsuccessful attempts.
Mckenzie said: “It doesn’t prey on our minds.
“It’s not as if we were losing by a lot, they’re always tight games and we’ve been a bit unlucky not to win at least one of those.
“We were two up the last time they were here and gave away a point.
“We just want to kick-start this Christmas period with a win.
“We won’t dwell on it, but you hope it gives us the hunger to go out and get the victory we’re due.”