SAINTS manager Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted the upcoming football fixtures were “a chance for everybody to show respect” following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Football across the nation was paused last weekend as a mark of respect to Her late Majesty, who died aged 96.

Hasenhuttl is preparing Saints for their return to action on Friday, when they make the trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League (8pm), where tributes are set to be paid to the Queen.

The Saints manager said: “There are some plans in place for the weekend and we will all be thinking about her and the whole weekend is a chance for everybody to show respect and this is what we will do.”

He added: “I must say that I am here now nearly four years. I learned this country, meanwhile, in all circumstances, pandemic and such situations.

“I must say that you can be very proud of the people that are living here. The way they showed their respect for a wonderful person, for a very long term where she was being in duty and serving for this country.

“The way you show the respect is something I must say impressive, very special. All over the world I haven’t seen something similar to be honest – and I was in a lot of countries living and working.

“It was for me an absolutely clear decision not to play football last weekend. I would have also completely understood if we wouldn’t play on this weekend because there is a special moment for this country.

“It is, as I said, for me, very impressive to see how the people are reacting, how they are showing their respect. They are not forced to queue for 20 hours to say goodbye to her. They simply want to do it.

“This is something very special I must say and very impressive for me. You can be very proud of the situation you are living in, in this country.”

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