CLARKE: PLAYERS ARE SAFE WITH US
STEVE CLARKE last night dismissed fears Celtic might pull their star men out of next month’s Euro 2020 play-off and insisted Scotland will keep them all safe from the pandemic.
Clarke’s men take on the Czech Republic at Hampden tonight to complete a hectic international schedule which has taken a heavy toll on the Parkhead club ahead of this weekend’s Old Firm derby. The
champions called on more protection for their players after Odsonne Edouard, Nir Bitton and Hatem Elhamed all posted positive Covid-19 tests while on international duty.
Scotland ace Ryan Christie is self-isolating for a fortnight after coming into contact with Stuart Armstrong at Clarke’s Oriam HQ last week.
But the manager expects all his top players to be available for selection again next month when Scotland face Serbia for a place in a major finals for the first time in more than 22 years.
Asked if he fears Celtic might prevent the likes of Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Greg Taylor and perhaps even fit-again striker Leigh Griffiths from joining his camp, Clarke said: “I don’t think they’re able to do that, as far as I’m aware, unless there’s a quarantine issue.
“So the fact that we can put together the bubble that everyone speaks about in camp, I don’t think they’ve got grounds to stop players coming.
“The strict protocols we have in place are working and hopefully that’s what Celtic take from it. Although we had a little incident last week, the protocol we have in place is as secure as it can be.
“You can’t say anything is going to be 100 per cent secure. But it shows that the protocols we have in place are pretty decent.
“I’d just point to the fact that even though we’ve had one incident in the camp, the protocols work. It hasn’t decimated our squad, as such. It hasn’t spread right through it. That shows what we have in place is as good and robust as things can be.
“Clubs will be nervous when their players go away but they’ll also be nervous about their players in-house as well. You don’t know where you’re going to pick it up. Somebody’s wife could be out working and bring it into the house and then it goes into a club. It’s a virus!”
Clarke spoke to the media at the national team’s Edinburgh base yesterday, just as news was breaking of Cristiano Ronaldo’s positive test and withdrawal from Portugal’s squad.
The Scotland boss said: “I didn’t know about that – but it’s everywhere. There’s almost nothing we can do about it.
“The good news is that we’ve all tested negative. Those tests were done on Monday and all the results came through on Tuesday.
“It’s good because last week we had the incident in camp with Armstrong. It means the protocols that the doctor and Graeme Jones have put in place have worked.
“It was a relief. There were a few people within the camp who were a bit nervous about it all.”
Asked if he had been contacted by any concerned club bosses, Clarke added: “If any manager has called me then it should stay private.
“I have a responsibility to all the club managers who send me their players. I want to send them back in the best possible shape I can.
“Unfortunately we have lost John Fleck. He picked up an injury the other night when he landed awkwardly on his back.
“There is a case where John is going back to Sheffield United and will miss a couple of games for them. Liam Cooper is away back to Leeds and will also miss games. It’s part and parcel of things.”