BLANKED BY THE CZECHS
boss Steve Clarke and his players flew out for tonight’s tie in Olomouc.
The no-show comes after the Czech FA refused to respond to repeated attempts for clarification after they announced on a Twitter account on Friday night that the game would not be going ahead.
Although both Petrie and Maxwell are believed to have been infuriated by the stonewalling, Record Sport understands the decision to stay at home and avoid one of Europe’s coronavirus hotspots was based chiefly on health and safety grounds.
We can also reveal Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell also contacted Hampden’s sixth floor on Saturday to seek safety assurances, with infection numbers across the Czech Republic hitting record levels over the last week.
Four Hoops stars are in Clarke’s playing squad while another five of Lawwell’s Lennoxtown staff make up part of the technical support team.
The trip was thrown into disarray late on Friday night when the Czech government ordered Jaroslav Silhavy and his players to go into quarantine following a 3-1 win in Slovakia, prompting the FA’s decision to call tonight’s game off.
Two of Silhavy’s players were already self isolating after coming into contact with a member of his backroom staff who tested positive test for Covid-19.
But the decision to pull the plug on Scotland’s visit was overturned on Saturday morning when UEFA demanded that the match be played.
As late as yesterday afternoon, with Clarke and his players boarding a flight, Maxwell was still awaiting confirmation from the Czechs that all necessary plans have been put in place.
A Hampden source said: “It really is quite incredible that there has been no communication whatsoever from the Czech FA.
“Ian Maxwell has sent emails, texts and tried to contact them on a WhatsApp group created for this fixture.
“He hasn’t had one reply. It really is a staggering lack of professionalism and respect on their part.
“Although Rod Petrie and Maxwell are far from happy, they have not made the decision to stay at home as some sort of snub.
“The Czech Republic is experiencing a major spike in Covid cases and neither of them could have made that trip and fulfilled their obligations without stepping outside the bubble that has been created for Steve Clarke and the players.
“It was decided only those who are absolutely necessary to the manager and his team should be part of the travelling party.”