Lennon irate after 11 Scots U21 players told to isolate
CELTIC manager Neil Lennon accused the Scottish Football Association of presiding over an “absolute shambles” after 11 Scotland Under-21 players were instructed to self-isolate.
Hoops midfielder David Turnbull was among three players who tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from Tuesday’s European qualifier in Greece, while a further eight players were identified as close contacts.
Lennon questioned why more testing was not carried out after a member of the backroom team tested positive last Sunday before the squad travelled to Athens.
Aberdeen will have three players missing for their trip to face Rangers at Ibrox today after one tested positive, Livingston confirmed goalkeeper Robby Mccrorie had tested positive, and Motherwell lost two players for their 1-1 draw with St Johnstone at late notice.
The players involved were back training with their clubs for two days before positive cases emerged on Friday night and the situation escalated on Saturday morning.
After his team’s 2-2 draw with Hibernian, Lennon said: “It’s a shambles, an absolute shambles.
“We give these players in good faith and we get them sent back and it’s basically ‘you look after them now’.
“There should have been more testing done, especially when there was an outbreak last week.
“We were all tested on Friday and everybody came back negative.
“These players have gone out of our bubble and into the international arena and are coming back with the virus. It’s hard to take.
“It’s very difficult to stop players from playing for their country, I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do.
“But what we can ask is the associations look after the players the best way they can.”
The SFA declared that the three positive cases would have to selfisolate for 10 days from Friday, and the 10 close contacts, including two staff members, will need to stay at home for 14 days.
A statement added: “The close contacts were established using aircraft and bus manifests, in adherence to government protocols that consider close contacts to be two rows either side of a positive case.”
Aberdeen have lost Ross Mccrorie, Connor Mclennan and Lewis Ferguson for games against Rangers, Hamilton and St Mirren.
A Dons statement added: “With three first-team players now missing in what is a crucial week for the club, these developments will have a significant impact upon the integrity of its preparations and it will be seeking urgent assurances from the Scottish FA to ensure its players remain safe whilst on international duty.”