I’d be astonished if stadiums were packed after this early three-week break- Kris Boyd silenced as fans return on Monday

Kris Boyd appears to be keeping a low profile after the Scottish Government announced that stadiums can be full again from Monday when Celtic host Hibs. It is likely that he is astonished.

On Tuesday night the Sky Sports expert will be on duty at Aberdeen in front of fans after the SPFL decided to bring forward the three match winter break. 

Sky had a bumper weekend of derbies from Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh lined up but with no known medical or scientific qualifications Boyd wanted the matches to go ahead with just 500 fans inside each ground. 

On Christmas Day, before a round of fixtures in front of just 500 fans at each match, the former Scotland striker told readers of The Sun. 

Everything coming from the clubs and the SPFL has been about the prospect of fans being back in a few weeks. 

Does anyone really think there will be significant crowds back in by the middle of January? It’s a ludicrous suggestion. 

The last short-term circuit breaker from the Scottish Government lasted for months, and the peak of the Omicron wave is predicted for February. 

I’d be astonished if stadiums were packed after this early three-week break. 

Ten of the 12 SPFL clubs voted to bring forward the winter break, the SPFL appear to have called things just right with the December 26 matches going ahead and two rounds of fixtures rescheduled. 

Celtic, Aberdeen and Hearts will all welcome big crowds to matches next week and also be able to put on hospitality rather than trying to spin the benefits of watching live streams to supporters locked out of stadiums for the third season running.

On January 26 Sky Sports will show the Hearts v Celtic match.