Portsmouth News

Ex-Blues loanee casts doubt over accuracy of positive Covid test during season at P04

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FORMER Pompey midfielder

Ross McCrorie has doubts regarding the legitimacy of the positive coronaviru­s test result he received during his time at Fratton Park.

That’s after the Rangers ace – currently on loan at Aberdeen – tested positive for Covid-19 a second time last month.

McCrorie was one of five Pompey players forced to self-isolate back in March after contractin­g the virus.

He joined James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Sean Raggett and Haji Mnoga in receiving the unwanted result – and admitted to The

News in April that his diagnosis came as a ‘shock to the system’.

McCrorie got similar news last month after travelling with the Scotland under-21 squad for a Euro qualifier in Greece.

He captained the side in the 1-0 defeat in Athens, but got another positive test result when the squad returned home.

That saw him forced to isolate once again, with the 22-year-old missing three games as a result.

He’s since featured in the

Dons’ past two games, but the former Blues loanee has reservatio­ns his test at PO4 nine months ago was wholly accurate.

Speaking to the Press & Journal, McCrorie said: ‘It (the latest positive result) has been hugely frustratin­g, but it was just unfortunat­e.

‘There were a few people in the Scotland U21 squad who ended up getting it. It was just unfortunat­e what happened.

‘Having to sit in my flat and self-isolate for two weeks was hugely frustratin­g, but obviously we’ve got to stick to the protocols and keep everyone safe.

‘It was a massive shock to me. I never really expected it as I’ve been following the protocols.

‘It can happen to anyone.

You can get it from anywhere. Obviously I had it before, so it was quite a big shock.

‘I think your immunity runs out after a while.

‘I had a positive test way back in March, but I’m not sure if that test was 100 per cent.

‘Then again there were a few boys who had to at Pompey at the time. So I don’t know for sure.

‘I’m just glad to be back kicking a ball and hopefully I can get back to normal now.’

McCrorie made 23 appearance­s for Pompey during his season-long loan in 2019-20, with Blues boss Kenny Jackett keen to retain his services during the summer.

He's since become a key figure for Aberdeen during his latest move away from Ibrox, with Derek McInnes’ side currently fourth in the Scottish Premiershi­p.

The Scot will go head-to-head with former Blues team-mate Brandon Haunstrup when the

Dons visit Kilmarnock on Sunday.

He added: ‘You can get it anywhere, a lot of teams have been affected so it was just unfortunat­e that people in the team got it.

‘Now I’m back, that’s in the past and I don’t want to focus on what’s happened. I am just happy to be back and want to build on getting playing again.

‘We had a good start to the season so I just want to get back to the form we were in.’

– MARK McMAHON

 ?? Picture: Joe Pepler ?? MASSIVE SHOCK Ross McCrorie.
Picture: Joe Pepler MASSIVE SHOCK Ross McCrorie.

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