Following Rangers victory over Aberdeen yesterday to go 22 points clear at the top of the Premiership, that result has been further boosted today by a hammer blow to Celtic’s preparations for their game v Hibernian, tonight.
The Parkhead club confirmed today that their defender Christopher Jullien had tested positive for Covid-19 and as a result, 13 other players as well as manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy will have to self isolate.
Sky Sports provided this update from Celtic which also confirmed that tonight’s home game against Jack Ross’ Hibs will go ahead, as scheduled.
It is believed that the Edinburgh club consulted their players about their feelings on taking part in the game and some are said to be less than happy about the situation. Hibs also requested for the Celtic squad to under go a further round of testing but that has been refused by the SPFL.
Celtic will also have a depleted squad for their next game against high flying Livingston due to the same precautions.
It is yet to be known which players are affected.
Tonight’s game is one of four games in hand that Celtic face in their challenge to claw back ground on Rangers at the top.
The SPFL table shows the 22 point gap plus a much superior goal difference for Rangers.
After another win for Livingston at the weekend, their sixth straight league win, they are now looking up the table from a very healthy position. This shows that Livi will be formidable foes for Celtic in what will be a double header over the next week, with a rearranged game pencilled in to be played next Wednesday.
On the fall out from Celtic’s ill-fated trip to Dubai, the football and government authorites had their say today.
Scottish FA Chief Exec Iain Maxwell was somewhat hesistant in his quoted response to the Dubai trip and the approval for it.
He said “The advice was straightforward, the Scottish FA got a request from Celtic in November, we passed it on to the Scottish Government and they approved it,”
“It’s not the Scottish FA’s permission to give. In terms of was it the right decision, I completely understand that Celtic have done that trip over previous years but to do that in the current climate is up for debate, I’m sure Celtic are thinking about that.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was unequivocal in her disdain for the choice of Celtic to proceed with the ultimately unnecessary trip during the worldwide pandemic.
She stated, “Unfortunately, it’s impossible for me to talk about Dubai today without making some mention of the situation with Celtic Football Club,” Sturgeon said. “I can’t tell you how disappointed and frustrated I am to be facing another briefing that may be dominated by football.”
Privileges
“Football and elite sport more generally enjoys a number of privileges right now that the rest of us don’t have. These privileges include the right to go to overseas training camps and be exempt from quarantine on return.”
“It is really vital, obviously for public health reasons, but I think also out of respect for the rest of the population living under heavy restrictions, that these privileges are not abused.”
“I know what I’m about to say won’t please everyone, nothing I can say about football ever pleases everyone, but as I have said before I do have doubts, based on how the club itself described it, about whether the club’s trip to Dubai really was essential.”
“I have doubts based on pictures some I’ve seen about whether adherence to bubble rules was strict enough. Celtic now have a positive case and another 15 playing and coaching staff are being required to isolate.”
“As in any situation like this, it is for the football authorities to decide whether further action is necessary, and it is for them to consider that carefully.”
Over to you SFA and SPFL…