OLD FIRM FIXTURE CHAOS
DISRUPT CLUBS TRAVEL BANS AND TESTING
CELTIC’S final pre-season preparations were thrown into chaos yesterday after the Irish Government placed a travel ban on Scotland. Neil Lennon’s side had been expected to host Irish champs Dundalk on Saturday – in a friendly chief executive Peter Lawwell had hoped could be used as a trial event
for the safe return of a limited number of socially-distanced fans.
But although contracts were signed off between the clubs, Dundalk pulled out amid fears their players would face a twoweek quarantine on their return to Ireland.
By yesterday morning it seemed Derry City – based north of the border – would be willing and able to step in.
But by lunchtime that plan was placed in doubt when Ireland declared no parts of the UK have made it on to their green travel list.
Derry then received a warning from the FAI that by accepting a friendly at Parkhead, their players and coaching staff would be unable to compete in a top-flight clash against St Pat’s in Dublin on August 3.
And last night it looked increasingly likely that Celtic will be forced to scrub all plans for a final friendly on home soil
after three pre-season matches in France.
It also looks to have killed any hope of reopening the turnstiles this weekend but Record Sport understands although permission had been sought to stage a ‘test event’ on Saturday, the club are still awaiting a government response.
Lennon’s players will now take part in a behind closed-doors bounce game against Motherwell which had already been scheduled to take place on Sunday and are trying to arrange another topflight opponent for a final warm-up game.