Maxwell: Nothing to see over Dubai trip
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell insists there’s “nothing to see” regarding Celtic’s January trip to Dubai – but confirmed an investigation into the Rangers Five is ongoing.
The Hoops were roundly criticised for travelling to the United Arab Emirates for a winter training camp.
Defender Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after returning to Glasgow and that prompted a spate of self-isolation orders on first-team players, plus then gaffer Neil Lennon.
The SFA opted not to punish Celtic and Maxwell said: “The decision to go to Dubai was approved by the Government under the exemption and there was nothing for us to get involved with in that.
“From a compliance perspective, there is nothing to see in terms of Celtic in Dubai.”
The Rangers Five – including first-team stars Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey and Bongani Zungu – are facing punishment for a party during lockdown.
Maxwell said: “I’m not going into specifics while the process is going on. Players have made mistakes, the same as other people have
done.”
KYLE McALLISTER insists St Mirren can seal a historic top-six spot with another momentous win over the Old Firm.
The Buddies midfielder has seen his side pick up victories against both Celtic and Rangers this season, with his club the only team to inflict a defeat on Steven Gerrard’s men all season – in the Betfred Cup in December.
While the Ibrox side are desperate to secure their 55th league title as soon as possible, the Saints are chasing their own history as they eye a first top-half finish in the Premiership and first in the Scottish game’s top tier since 1985.
Jim Goodwin’s men need just two points from their last two fixtures to guarantee sixth spot.
McAllister said: “They’re unbeaten in the league and have been the best team this season. They have looked unstoppable at times. Even in Europe Rangers have looked the part – but we can actually say we’ve beaten them.
“That definitely gives us confidence. To get a draw or the three points, it’s going to be difficult.
“But we just look at it as a positive we’ve another chance to show what we can do. There are not many teams that can say they’ve beaten Celtic and Rangers in the same season, maybe even twice if we can get the result.
“Most teams sit back against them but when we won at Parkhead we played on the front foot.
“If we do that again at Ibrox you never know what could happen.
“It was incredible to win at Parkhead to start with – that hadn’t been done in 30-odd years. It was an incredible achievement.
“I don’t know how long it has been since we have won away at Ibrox and Parkhead but it’d be amazing to do it.”
McAllister, 22, insists he isn’t nervous about the challenge and hopes his Buddies will get the credit they deserve if they pull off another major shock.
He said: “All my life when I’ve played against Rangers and Celtic, you never ever go in nervous. You always read in the paper how it could be 4-0 or 5-0 against teams like St Mirren.
“I feel like even when you get results against them, it’s either, ‘Rangers had a bad game’ or ‘Celtic had a bad game’.
“We’re just hoping to put in a performance where we can change people’s minds.”
No. This sort of talk comes from fans. Players want to win games. Simple.
No chance. Celtic should be welcoming the opportunity to delay the party and salvaging some pride. Don’t write off St Mirren either. They have been cracking this season.
The Celtic players should be going all out to beat Dundee United and then Rangers at Parkhead. But it’s hard to have any confidence in the Hoops managing that.