GREENOCK Juniors manager Tommy Molloy says checking up on his players’ mental health is more important than talking football as he waits for a return to the game.

With little end to the coronavirus crisis in sight, and uncertainty about the new West of Scotland League, Molloy says there is very little preparation he can do in advance.

The gaffer said: “Usually at this time we would be planning pre-season friendlies and training, but we’re limited in what we can do.

“It’s just checking with players individually, we’ve had a couple of zoom calls, probably more so about what we can do mentally now, rather than speaking about football.

“It’s more checking up on their wellbeing rather than the football side of things.”

The club have re-signed the majority of last season’s squad, with Alan Frizzel one of the exceptions, the striker declining a contract and looking elsewhere for his football.

Striker Shaun Rodgers and midfielder Gavin Watt have also returned to Morton after joining the junior side on loan.

Molloy says that his main aims have been to tie down his current players and speak to future players, but this has been challenging due to the uncertainty surrounding football.

He said: “The main focus has just been to get the players tied up, speak to future players and make sure their wellbeing is okay.

“Everything has just been put on hold, it would be wrong to contact businesses about sponsorship and strip sponsors.

“It gives us time to plan but how can you plan when you don’t know what you’re planning for.

“There’s more important things happening out there and I think football is one of the last things to be back.”

The club recently held their annual player of the year awards, but due to the coronavirus lockdown, took to Twitter to announce the winners.

Molloy said: “We thought we would go ahead on Twitter and do it, which the boys were pleased about anyway.

“Awards are a big thing for them and it’s something to look forward to, nobody knows when we’re going to kick a ball again so it’s a positive.”

The big winner on the night was striker Dylan McLaughlan, who scooped the management’s player of the year, as well as the club’s top scorer award.

His manager was keen to stress the importance of McLaughlan to the team and to the supporters as well.

He said: “He was brilliant, different class for us, he’s got a knack for goal and he’s a great teammate.

“He just gives you something different, you’ll not find anybody quicker than him at our level.

“I know that the fans enjoy watching him as well, he plays like he’s playing in the street with his pals.”

The striker recently signed a new deal with the club, and Malloy revealed Greenock were not the only ones chasing his signature.

He said: “He’s signed a new one year deal and I’m ecstatic because there was interest from elsewhere.

“He is still only 24, he’s somebody that loves playing football.”

With the coronavirus lockdown set to continue, Malloy said that whilst it has been hard for him personally, when the football does return, he will not take it for granted.

He said: “It’s a struggle for managers as well because we can’t plan anything, but I can’t moan because everybody is in the same boat.

“Nobody will take football for granted again anyway, playing football and being in a dressing room.

“It’s all we’ve known every Saturday since we were kids.”