Strachan: Hoops will soon be back to full strength
GAVIN Strachan revealed Celtic will have their self-isolating players and management staff back for next Wednesday’s Scottish Premiership game at Livingston.
Injured defender Christopher Jullien’s positive test for coronavirus following the club’s return from a controversial training camp in Dubai saw 13 other firstteam players having to self-isolate, along with manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy.
First-team coach Strachan was in charge of a makeshift Hoops side against Hibernian at Parkhead on Monday, when the visitors scored a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw, and he will again be the main man in the technical area for the visit of Livingston today.
Strachan, who revealed the latest round of tests at the club had all returned negative, said: “As I understand it, I think it is Monday that they (Lennon and Kennedy) are back in.
“I think we have some guys back in on Sunday and some back in on Monday, as I understand it. They will be assessed in terms of their fitness because they have been off for a little while but they should be available for selection.
“Everyone that was involved on Monday against Hibs and who was in here (Lennoxtown) training during the week have all returned negative tests.”
Scott Robertson (19) will be added to the squad, which already contains several other youngsters, after a loan spell at Gillingham.
Strachan, son of former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, said: “Scott Robertson is back in. His loan at Gillingham has been ended, so he has come back into the fold. He is another one, good player, good character, who has come back in. He is still a young lad but he played nearly 20 games for Gillingham, so he is primed and ready to go.
“But for the most part it is going to be the same guys who were there on Monday.
“It has been a steep learning curve for most of them, but hopefully as their careers progress it turns out to be a positive experience for them, being around the first-team environment, seeing what the demands are, seeing the processes we work to, and hopefully they can develop.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton head coach Brian Rice hopes his players get the chance to “not celebrate” a goal in their Scottish Premiership encounter with Dundee United.
Rice revealed the club have reiterated to their squad they should tone down goal celebrations amid rising Covid-19 cases.
Clubs have been reminded of their responsibilities by the SFA and SPFL’S Joint Response Group with regard to coronavirus protocols, with players having to remain apart after scoring.
Rice admits it can be an instinctive reaction to celebrate together but insists they must all adhere to the guidelines to keep playing.
Rice said: “We’re going to ask our boys to do it, so we’re hoping we’ll get the chance to not celebrate. We’re hoping that we score a few goals and we don’t celebrate them.
“It’s going to be very difficult but we’ll reiterate to everyone today and tomorrow that if we do score a goal, let’s just get back, get in our shape and get on with the game.”