“I am delighted that we have got an exciting one to start with.

“The only downside is it is the type of game that always lends itself to an atmosphere.

“It is the game Sky have chosen, as you would expect. It is a very exciting fixture to kick off.

“I think it focusses everyone – players and staff for that first game, as it always does when the fixtures come out.

“It is an exciting one to make sure we are ready.

“We normally start with a European game but that has been pushed down the line a bit.

“We could not have hoped for a better game to be honest.

“Having games with no fans is something that we have to overcome. When you watch the Bundesliga and the English Premiership games you could not help but think at times that it was a friendly. So we have to make sure that competitive element is there in the team. That is the important part as we are playing for points and want to get off to a good start.

“It is important we have that competitive edge to our game.

“It is a game both clubs and sets of supporter’s relish and look forward to but it is also the same for players. With or without a crowd, the importance of the game will still be there.

“We have had a break. There was a time not so long ago when we were not sure if football would kick off any time soon. I think when you take yourself back, you have to be grateful for the

opportunity to be back playing. Even back training with all the boys, and seeing how keen and eager they are to get involved.

“They have got the best job in football, getting paid to play the game, and they have clearly missed it, so it is great to be back in amongst it, so we have to be thankful.

“It is not ideal, it is not the way we want it, but it is a lot better than what it could have been a few weeks ago.

“The fact we are back involved, we are back training and planning, is so important for us.

“We now have some fixtures to look at and it does feel like the season is starting proper although it is going to be different. Especially that initial period.

“Hopefully we can get to the stage where there are partial crowds in to give us that atmosphere that is so important, until we are back to full crowds.

“Nonetheless, it is a game of football and we would all have taken that a few months and even weeks ago.”

2020/21 Fixture Graphic