Scottish FA in the firing line bafter Covid-19 crisis
Premiership managers rounded on the SFA last night after it was revealed that the Under-21 squad which travelled to Greece in midweek had been blighted by Covid-19.
Eleven players and two staff are self-isolating after three of the squad – believed to be Celtic’s Davidturnbull, Livingston keeper Robbie Mccrorie and his brother, Ross, of Aberdeen – all tested positive for the virus.
The Dons go to Ibrox today minus three who travelled to Greece – Lewis Ferguson, Connor Mclennan and Mccrorie, who would have been absent anyway as he can’t face his parent club this season.
Celtic boss, Neil Lennon, branded the situation “a shambles”.
He added :“Again we have one of our players going away on international duty and picking up something, which is bitterly disappointing from our point of view.
“We were only made aware of it yesterday, and David is self- isolating now and we hope that he’s going to be OK.
“But it’s just not good enough.
“We became aware of it yesterday, so it’s bitterly disappointing and we know there are some others among the Under21s, who probably have it as well.
Asked if the club should now ask questions of the SFA, he said: “Yes. The whole Ryan Christie issue the last time, and now we have an issue with another one of our players.
“So i t’s not good enough. It’s a shambles.
“We are doing all we can with our protocols and health and safety so we have worked very, very hard to keep our bubble secure.
“We haven’t had any positive Covid transition. It’s all been outwith, when people have been away on international duty.
“We were ravaged after the last one, but thankfully the majority of them have come back fit and healthy.”
Aberdeen boss Derek Mcinnes was equally unhappy.
He said: “I’m angry and disappointed.
“We have three very good players missing the next three games through no fault of their own.
“There’ s been no remorse and no apology, and it is incumbent on the SFA to handle this better.”
Motherwell confirmed Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire will have to selfisolate, and they missed yesterday’ s game at St Johnstone despite both returning negative tests carried out by the Fir Park club upon their return.
A club statement read: “We were first notified of the potential need to exclude Allan and Barry at 9:30pm on Friday night.
“We will write to the SFA on a number of points on which we believe urgent answers are required.”
Manager Stephen Robinson added: “The communication is not good enough, and a lot of questions need answered.”
Meanwhile, Albion Rovers’ League Two game with Cowdenbeath was postponed after seven players and staff from the Coatbridge club tested positive.