Partick Thistle & Kilmarnock request immediate end to crowd restrictions

Promotion rivals Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock meet at Firhill on Friday

Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock have asked for crowd restrictions to be lifted immediately as they prepare for Friday's Scottish Championship fixture.

A full round of lower-league games takes place before the 500 fan cap - in place since 26 December - ends when the Premiership resumes on Monday.

Thistle says clubs should not be "disadvantaged" any longer.

Kilmarnock, set to be without fans for the Firhill game live on BBC Scotland, "welcome and support" the request.

Thistle said in a statement: "As well as the significant financial impact on Thistle, this decision means our fans face another game where the majority cannot attend and we cannot welcome opposition fans.

"We have asked the question to see if there is any scope to bring the date forward as we owe it to our fans to try.

"We know it's a long shot and unlikely to be changed but the right thing to do was to state our case rather than simply accept being disadvantaged again."

'Certainly some goodwill bringing it forward'

Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes is preparing for his second match in charge after beginning his reign with a 2-0 win against Queen of the South on Saturday.

McInnes' side could got top of the league with a win and he commented: "It's two very well supported clubs.

"When we're so close to that date [when restrictions ease] and still being restricted to 500, of course it's a tinge of disappointment.

"If there is a way we can get some Kilmarnock fans in and have a bigger crowd in then it always helps the spectacle of the game and the atmosphere of course."

And Thistle boss Ian McCall added: "I think it is unlikely it will happen but it would seem to have a bit of common sense and there would certainly be some goodwill there bringing it forward.

"I think Kilmarnock would [normally] maybe bring 2,000 with them and the crowd would be over 5,000. I wouldn't expect that [at short notice].

"It's a really, really difficult situation for everybody involved. What I'd like to think is that they are doing things in the best interest of everybody.

"I'd like to think decisions are made for the whole of Scottish football and not just one game at Celtic Park [between Celtic and Rangers] on the 2 February."