Unhappy McInnes hits out at SFA coronavirus testing procedures

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has demanded major improvements from the SFA after losing three Scotland U21 players to coronavirus issues.

Connor McLennan and Lewis Fe r g u s o n were missing from Aberdeen’s injury-hit squad for their 4- 0 defeat by Rangers yesterday after being among 11 U21 players instructed to self-isolate following a European qualifier in Greece.

The decision to ask eight p l ay e r s to self-isolate through track and trace procedures only came after three others tested positive for Covid-19 at their clubs, including Aberdeen’s Ross McCrorie, who previously contracted the coronavirus in March.

McC ro r ie ’s tw in , Livingston goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, and Celtic midfielder David Turnbull also tested positive, while Motherwell lost midfielders Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire and Rangers fullback Nathan Patterson is also isolating.

McInnes feels the SFA’s safety protocols and testing requirements are too slack, especially after a Scotland U21 staff member tested positive before the Greece trip.

“They were sat where they were told to sit on the flights and in the coaches and at hotels,” he said.

“A positive test can happen to any of us, but after that it is not unfortunate. Two players have been dragged into it by association with a positive test.

“That is what has been trying everyone to avoid.

We travel on two buses, we socially-distance, we split into groups so defenders, midfielders and strikers are not all together.

“We had Aberdeen players all sitting in close proximity when they were away, which isn’t right. One positive test has taken out three players. It’s not good enough.

“The Scotland first team went away and there were no issues but the time before that there were issues.”

Mc Inn e s , who s e unhappiness was shared by Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Motherwell’s Stephen Robinson, added: “We saw on Sky that there was a positive test in a staff member for the 21s and I think everyone should have been tested again before they flew out to Greece. Whether it happened, I don’t think it did.

“We would have insisted our players were tested before they flew out again because McCrorie’s test was through the roof.

“It wasn’t just borderline. That boy has been carrying that for a few days, that’s what the experts think.”

Mc I n n e s was unhappy with the attitude.

“I don’t even expect an apology but even some disappointment from the SFA,” he said.

“They just deliver the news and then you have to deal with it. That is what sticks in managers’ throats.

“It is not just me, there are a lot of managers out there unhappy... ‘We will take your players you deal with the consequences’.” a lso SFA’s

Derek McInnes lost three players to Covid-19 issues.