Roy MacGregor, the Ross County chairman, believes Celtic can blaze a trail for other clubs by proving safe standing areas can work in Scottish football.

MacGregor is keen to improve the atmosphere at the Global Energy Stadium and believes the return to some supporters standing during matches would help.

Safe standing areas are used in Europe, most notably in Germany, where Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion can accommodate 27,000 fans standing.

Celtic have indicated their interest in introducing safe-standing areas and are reported to have won cautious backing from the police and local authorities.

Bristol City last week became the first club in the UK to introduce a small trial area at Ashton Gate of 'rail seats' - which can be locked away to create a 'terrace' - although rules mean they will only be used for rugby matches at the stadium, while Aston Villa have offered to conduct a similar experiment.

MacGregor said: "I was glad to see Bristol City have become the first British club to make serious plans to introduce a safe-standing area.

"I know their plans involve rugby union first, but rail seats which lock and unlock can surely be used sensibly in football and have worked well in the Bundesliga in particular.

"I would hope there would be a clamour towards introducing safe-standing areas in Scotland and I would like to see Celtic being the first. If it can be established at the biggest football ground in the country then it can be implemented anywhere."

"I am keen to bring standing areas back at Ross County, with the Jailend the first place to do it, whatever it may entail. There has definitely been a movement in our support towards standing. Football grounds should not be quiet places, we want supporters to sing, build an atmosphere and enjoy themselves.

The club are also on the verge of concluding the sale of Dutch striker Kevin Luckassen. The 20-year-old yesterday had a medical with Czech Republic top-flight team Slovan Liberec, after arriving in Dingwall in the summer from AZ Alkmaar.

"We have agreed a fee. It is a lucrative deal for the football club," said manager Derek Adams. "It is a fee we couldn't have turned down. I understand why we have to do it. The Czech transfer window closes [today] so it has to be done by then."