NEILSTON co-manager Derek Carson admits he is already looking ahead to next season as the wait for news on the fate of the 2020/21 campaign continues.

All football below the SPFL Championship has been sidelined since January 12, when a suspension of matches and training was imposed due to rising Covid cases across the country.

It had been hoped the Scottish Football Association (SFA) would give clubs a road map for a return to action when it delivered its latest update on Monday.

However, there was more frustration for The Farmer’s Boys as the SFA instead stated it was still waiting for guidance from the Scottish Government.

And there was a new twist yesterday when First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed clubs in League One and Two, as well as women’s teams in SWPL One, can return to training, provided players are tested before matches.

In the meantime, Carson and co-boss Chris Cameron have been busy persuading their players to stick around at the Brig O’Lea for the 2021/22 season.

And the impressive form Neilston displayed before the West of Scotland Football League went into cold storage, which saw them win each of their eight games, bodes well for the next campaign, when promotion will be on offer.

Carson told Barrhead Sport: “We’ve got 12 or 13 boys signed up for next season.

“We’re gradually working our way through the list, so we’re very happy.

“It’s been a pretty easy conversation, with how well we’ve done and the attacking football we’ve been playing.

“They all know how important next season is and, if they were to get promoted and into that top league, it would go down in the history books.

“We’re looking to keep everybody that was in our squad this season and take them into next season, as well as adding one or two.”

In the statement released on Monday, the SFA said: “We have been in regular dialogue with the Scottish Government since the temporary suspension of football on January 12.

“Since then, a series of discussions have taken place via video conference with all leagues affected by the suspension, to establish the measures and protocols under which each might resume their competitions.

“This information has been shared with the Scottish Government and, while it has been positively received, we await a final decision from ministers.”