Support for Zander is a step in the right direction

IT’S been heartening to witness the support for Zander Murray since his decision to come out as Scotland’s first openly gay footballer.

By the same token, it’s a sad indictment that the issue of the Gala Fairydean striker’s sexuality should be seen as such big news.

We’ve not yet reached a stage where a high-profile player has felt comfortable enough to make a similar statement. The response to Zander’s announcement has hopefully helped bring that moment closer.

In 10 to 15 years’ time I think people will be horrified that this was such a big deal.

We live in a multicultural society, people of different races, religions and sexualities.

In any workplace up and down the country, there is a broad spectrum and football can’t be any different. It’s probable that I have managed at least one gay footballer over the course of the last 15 years.

The fact I cannot tell you that for certain is indicative of how far we still have to go before we have a wholly inclusive sport.

Dressing rooms have traditionally been harsh environments. But as society has changed and become more diverse and accepting, so has our sport. The ongoing rise of the women’s game is proof of that.

The football support is a microcosm of wider society. And in turn the dressing room is a microcosm of that support.

I have managed senior players with families and kids alongside youngsters still finding their way in the world.

That brings so many different issues. Personal problems of all kinds.

I would always encourage my players to talk to me. I try to be more than a manager and you do feel like a parent at times. We all have a responsibility when we’re dealing with young men because not everybody’s life is straightforward.

There are loads of boys in any dressing room who have issues, concerns and worries. It might be marital, financial, gambling. You have to be there for them.

I know for a fact that the dressing rooms I have managed would have no issues with a gay footballer. And I would not tolerate any hostility.

At Kilmarnock, I manifest an environment where everyone is comfortable with each other. There will still be banter and high-jinks but it’s an inner sanctum and the players are very protective of each other. That’s because there is shared awareness of the public scrutiny on us all as a group.

Just as you are praised as a group, so you get battered from pillar to post at the same time.

That spotlight brings players and coaches alike together and as a consequence we are all very close and protective of each other.

Team-mates can really batten down the hatches and be tight with each other, support each other through difficulties.

Trust me, the game can be good that way.

Zander (left) has said he has had real support from his coaches and team-mates and that does not surprise me in the slightest. No doubt there will be jokes around it but he will be the same popular figure he was before.

I’m not saying it has always been like that. I’m not sure any player could have really considered coming out back when I was playing in the 1990s.

The longer people suppress who they are, the harder it must be for them. It’s a shame and really sad that people don’t feel the confidence to come out and openly be themselves.

Equally, there shouldn’t be a pressure on anyone to make a public statement on what is essentially a private matter.

Not every player is comfortable being in the spotlight, far less when their personal lives are up for discussion.

It took Zander until he was 30 years of age to speak out but hopefully his example will inspire confidence in younger players.

We’ve had Blackpool’s Jake Daniels make the same brave step and there have also been Scottish referees Craig Napier and Lloyd Wilson.

Soon more will have the conviction to come out without that fear of ridicule.

Thanks to Zander, we’ve moved closer to normalising it among players, too.