It’s a joke as Robbo blasts SFA over U-21 test shambles
Stephen Robinson slammed the SFA’s communications department as ‘a joke’ after being deprived of two players.
The Well boss was furious at being told late on Friday night that Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire would have to self- isolate due to being in close contact with Scotland Under-21 team-mates who’d tested positive for Covid-19.
The group had returned from a Euro qualifier in Greece and Ross and Robby McCrorie as well Celtic’s David Turnbull tested positive for the virus.
But Robinson says his club were the last to know they’d be deprived of Campbell and Maguire and hit out after being kept out of the loop.
He said: “I don’t usually try to jump on people but it could have been done better.
“This is a situation that’s hard and we a ll make mistakes but common sense was not used and the communication was a joke.
“You can see how it spreads so there is a concern.
“We tested our players because we wanted to be ultra-safe. Maybe the national team should be testing them before they come back off a plane to join us again.
“We tested all our players so they were safe but other Under- 21 boys tested positive so it would have been wiser to inform everyone and we could take the appropriate actions.
“To say it’s not ideal is an understatement. I got a phone call at about 10pm from our chief executive to say there was the potential that some of the Under-21 players had tested positive and there may be a track and trace interview.
“Then at 11pm he phoned to tel l me Al lan and Barry couldn’t play this week and have the double punishment of missing next week too.
“I know other clubs found out earlier on Friday when they tested, communication has been poor. It has to be better than that when you go into an elite performance environment, allegedly.
“When we got a positive test we closed the club down for two days, to the detriment of our training because it left us with just one day to prepare for the Livingston game, but the health and safety of everyone was paramount.
“So although it may not be the government protocols, there is a common sense approach here.
“I am being told a staff member tested positive but the players were not re-tested before they flew on two flights in close environments.
“They haven’t broken any
protocols, that’s not the question here, but it’s the common sense of going above and beyond to make sure everybody is right.
“Al lan Campbel l is arguably our best player and two of the three of my midfield was missing.”
Saints started with an urgency and dominated the ball and it needed Aaron Chapman to rush from his line to intercept as Craig Conway chased a Danny McNamara through ball on the sixth minute.
It was then a case of much ado about nothing until the 17th minute as Motherwell grabbed a lead and a goal which was a work of art in terms of its construction.
Callum Lang set off down the right and found Mark O’Hara . He fed Liam Polworth, whose effort was blocked by Jason Kerr, but O’Hara followed up to fire a low shot past Zander Clark.
That setback for Saints was compounded by what looked to be a serious shoulder injury to Murray Davidson, who had to be stretchered from the f ield after falling heavily when competing for a header.
Craig Bryson replaced the stricken midfielder and the game was about to swing back Saints’ way.
Bevis Mugabi’s needless
trip on May in the 34th minute was a clear penalty and the striker slammed home from the spot.
Motherwell ended the half with O’Hara and Devante Cole both going close.
Conway was next to leave the pitch as he was led off with blood streaming from a broken nose.
He was replaced by Michael O’Halloran on the hour mark but proceedings were doing little to raise the temperature as it started to freeze in Perth.
Jason Kerr and Liam Gordon both had headers held by Well keeper Chapman as Saints looked the likelier to take the points.
The last chance came from a snapshot by Chris Kane which f lew over the bar in added time and it ended honours even.