Just why was crocked Chris even in Dubai?
CHRIS SUTTON admits he was stunned Christopher Jullien caught coronavirus in Dubai – as he reckons the Frenchman should never have been on Celtic’s trip in the first place.
The Record Sport columnist has insisted he had no issue with the winter training camp as long as the protocols were being enforced.
But the Hoops hero has been left gobsmacked by the fallout and he’s questioned Jullien’s presence given the centreback was on crutches and expected to be out injured for up to four months.
Sutton said: “It’s just unbelievable what’s happened. The big question I’d ask is – why was Jullien even in Dubai?
“This was meant to be a training camp to build fitness for the second half of the season.
“Jullien is facing months out, so why did he travel? You can’t tell me it’s because of the medical care he’d get out there. Celtic will have left physios or doctors back in Glasgow.
“So what is it? It is just typical of the way things are going at the moment that the one guy that gets covid is the one player out there who isn’t going to play. Now it’s the knock-on effect with the rest of the squad and coaching staff. It’s a shambles.”
Sutton refused to join the criticism of Celtic’s trip last week before the covid crisis as the club had been given the green light to travel by football chiefs.
But he admitted Jullien’s presence and the admission from John Kennedy over some social distancing slip-ups has moved the goalposts.
Sutton said: “I defended the trip previously. As far as I was concerned if they had been given the go ahead by the authorities and were sticking to the rules it was up to them.
“I will stand up for them if they haven’t done anything wrong.
“They might not have broken the rules but they’ve shattered all the rules of common sense.
“Of course there was eyebrows raised about the timing, but everyone was assured the risks were minimal. That’s been shown to be a nonsense.
“I don’t know what’s gone on out there but they will need to get to the bottom of how Jullien caught the virus.
“Were the protocols being followed correctly? Kennedy has admitted mistakes were made. That looks like putting it mildly right now. It’s hard to get your head round how stupid it all is.”