DONS GET COVID ALL-CLEAR
Player now set to return to training after third negative test
ABERDEEN have confirmed the player who tested positive for Covid-19 has been cleared to return to training.
Since testing positive at the end of last month, the unnamed player has since had three negative tests.
It means the first-team star can return to training with staff at Cormack Park today and will likely be able to return to full training next week.
An Aberdeen statement confirmed: “The club can confirm the first-team squad member who tested positive for Covid-19 will return to Cormack Park tomorrow to begin his “Return to Play” protocol, which is mandatory for all those who have tested positive.
“The player, who remained asymptomatic throughout, has been following the appropriate isolation procedures since the positive test and the medical team are now satisfied he has met all the criteria to start a graded return to full training.
“All other players continue to produce negative results.”
Manager Derek McInnes admitted the initial news was a shock.
He said: “It’s a reminder how quickly things can potentially derail if you don’t do things right.
“We’ve taken confidence and strength from the fact we feel all the procedures and protocols we’ve set up at the training ground are working for us.
“He reported yesterday but didn’t get out of his car and got tested again. With the third negative test, he’ll be able to come back into training.
“He will be able to work on his own or with a member of staff for a period of five or six days then rejoin the group again the following Tuesday.”
McInnes insists Aberdeen are taking no risks and more than 700 tests have been done on their players and staff since they returned to training.
He said: “The testing regime has been very thorough.
“We’ve had good feedback from the testing company. We take confidence from the fact we’re doing things right.
“Since we’ve come back, with ancillary staff, football staff and players, we’ve probably had more than 700 tests.
“It would probably be more of a surprise if we hadn’t had a positive test from that, if you look at the national average.
“It’s a wee reminder and while it’s not ideal, you speak to medical people and testing companies and they say, ‘This is why we’re doing it.’”
If Scottish society and football continues to suppress the virus then McInnes is confident the Premiership will kick off as planned on August 1, with Aberdeen set to entertain Rangers. The Dons test is the only positive one so far to be registered in Scottish football.
McInnes added: “We feel confident that what we’re doing is certain. Long may that continue.
“While it was a wee bit of a blow at the time, it is what it is.”