Niall McGinn’s plea to the public as Northern Ireland players back NHS support campaign

The Aberdeen attacker used his official Twitter account to plead for governmental and medical advice on curbing the pandemic to be followed.

McGinn posted a video just hours after First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon insisted that “beaches should not be busy, parks should not be full”, as many in the country continue to ignore social distance guidelines.

The 32-year-old former Derry City and Celtic player said: “We are at an absolutely crucial point in this crisis and some people still aren’t listening.

“We need to help out the NHS as much as we possibly can.

“Some young people are still heading out in groups, going to social gatherings, maybe out in the park playing with friends, as if it is the school holidays.

“I am just asking them to think twice, to think about their families and wider families as well.

“By doing this it can help slow down the virus.

“We are living in a very difficult time right now but we all need to work together to combat it.

“We all need to act responsibly, both young and old.

“Please support the fightback against the Covid-19 disease by following these simple rules: stay at home, wash your hands regularly and finally keep your distance. Stay safe everyone.”

A number of McGinn’s international team-mates have backed a social media campaign by the NHS aimed at young people.

Players have been creating and uploading posts to urge young people to embrace the message: stay at home, wash your hands regularly and keep your distance.

“We are at an absolutely crucial point in this crisis and they still aren’t listening,” said an NHS spokesperson. “Some young people are still heading out and gathering together as if it’s school holidays and by doing so are accelerating the spread of this virus.”