Ross County co-manager Stuart Kettlewell accepts football is of secondary importance to public well-being in response to coronavirus.
With 60 cases of the illness confirmed in Scotland as of yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has advised the cancellation of all gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday next week, in an attempt to prevent the spreading of COVID-19.
That looks likely to spark similar measures to those taken across Europe, with Italy, Spain and France among the countries where football matches will either be played behind closed doors or postponed.
Kettlewell says County, who are due to play Hamilton Accies at Victoria Park tomorrow, will respect the reasons for any disruption.
Kettlewell said: “We realise football pales into insignificance, really, when it comes to this type of thing.
“We’ll make sure we’re prepared to play and the powers that be will make the correct decision.
“Whatever the guideline is, we’ll follow it to the letter. I’m sure every other club will do the same.
“It is a bigger issue than just the Premiership in Scotland and I think we’ll probably be led into various decisions as to what happens elsewhere.
“There’s been a bit of disruption with some of the European ties, with closed doors games and postponements.
“If that’s what we’re told we have to do, that’s what we have to do.
“Obviously everybody wants the atmosphere of a full house similar to what we saw here at the weekend against Rangers.
“That’s something the players thrive off but when it comes to this health issue, we just have to follow suit.
“It’s not an ideal scenario for anybody in football – it’s not an ideal situation for anybody across the world – but it’s just something we have to play by ear.
“There are people who are far more qualified than myself will make a call on that.”
Kettlewell insists he and fellow co-manager Steven Ferguson are attempting to keep preparation for this weekend’s crucial game against Accies as normal as possible, with second-bottom Accies just two points behind the Dingwall men.
Kettlewell added: “It is totally out of our hands. We’ve just got to make sure we’re focused, ourselves and the players, and make sure we’re in a position to play a game on Saturday. We’ll take it from there.”
Kettlewell says the Staggies must be prepared to scrap for the points when Accies make the trip to the Highlands, adding: “I’ve watched a lot of football with teams across the division and when it comes down to this nitty-gritty sometimes principles are abandoned.
“It becomes a little bit of a scrap. It becomes pretty direct and physical. I’m not saying that’s the case all the time, nor am I discrediting it.
“If teams feel this is the right way to go about it to try and get a victory, then so be it.”
