Saints hit by COVID blow for cup semi
244 workers face‘nightmare’after being told their jobs are at risk
St Johnstone are dealing with a coronavirus blow ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semifinal with St Mirren.
The Perth club yesterday confirmed two members of the playing staff had tested positive for the virus and will miss out at Hampden.
A further two players are also selfisolating, meaning four first team stars will be unavailable for selection for the crunch clash.
Saints are going for an incredible cup double having already won the League Cup this season.
Head of football operations Scott Boyd (pictured) said: “The football club can confirm that two members of our playing staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
“They will both be missing from the Scottish Cup semifinal on Sunday against St Mirren.
“Thankfully, after the latest round of testing, all results were negative.
“However, as a result of the positive tests, two other players have been forced to self-isolate due to government guidelines. The two players in question tested negative.
“We feel our staff adhered to the guidelines and this has been largely outwith our control.”
Boyd added: “It’s very unfortunate for four of our players to miss out on the important game on Sunday.
“However, we wish all of them well and their health and wellbeing will always be our priority.
“We will keep our fans updated if we need to share further information.
“Callum [Davidson] and the players will now focus on Sunday’s game.”
SEE SPORT FOR SEVEN PAGES OF CUP SEMI-FINAL BUILD-UP
workers have been told they may lose their jobs at Thermo Fisher
Workers at the Thermo Fisher site in Perth say they feel “betrayed” after learning almost 250 jobs were under threat this week.
The PA revealed on Wednesday that staff at the facility had been told in a series of meetings they could be out of work just eight months after an extension of the site to produce equipment for COVID-19 tests.
It is understood workers, many of whom left other jobs to move to Thermo Fisher, were told that over-production meant their roles were now being made redundant.
One source told the PA that 244 jobs were set to go.
The situation has left workers feeling devastated, with one describing the situation as a “nightmare”.
They said: “We have been betrayed. When we went to take these jobs, people were leaving other jobs to go there.
“They have completely sold us out.”