Celtic facing further scrutiny after positive test on return home

CELTIC’S decision to fly to Dubai for a training camp is set to come under further scrutiny after an unnamed player tested positive for coronavirus.

The squad and staff were tested on arrival back in Scotland on Friday.

A brief statement on the club’s official Twitter account read: “Celtic today confirmed that one player has recorded a positive test for covid-19. Clearly the player will receive all our care and full support.

“All other members of our squad, management team and backroom squad are negative.”

Foreign training camps are within the rules for professional sports but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon last week questioned whether Celtic had been adhering to social distancing guidelines after seeing photos from their hotel.

Assistant manager John Kennedy admitted on Saturday that there had been “slip-ups with minor things” and that a photo maybe painted a “bleak picture”.

Kennedy also stated the Scottish Government and football authorities were content with their protocols.

When it was put to him that a positive test would put them in a difficult situation, Kennedy said: “Everyone is in the same position. Look at Aston Villa, they didn’t travel anywhere, and they had a number of positive tests. You can’t pin it all purely on us deciding to go to Dubai.

“All around the country is in a very difficult situation. No-one wants to get the virus but it’s difficult to control.

“We are trying to limit the risk as much as we possibly can in our bubble but we have had a couple of positive tests when guys have been on international duty.”

The test results were confirmed 24 hours before Celtic host Hibs in a Premiership clash that was moved from Saturday – against the wishes of the visitors – to accommodate the Dubai trip.

The delay saw Celtic slip even further behind leaders Rangers but, when asked if Celtic were capable of going on an unbeaten run, Kennedy said: “It has got to be the mindset. There is nothing else for it.

“We have got to approach it as positively as we possibly can. We know the situation is difficult, we know the challenge, but we will never, never lay down and allow things just to pass.”

John Kennedy.