Glass wants clarity over new Covid guidelines

ABERDEEN boss Stephen Glass last night led the call for clarity over new Covid guidelines after admitting national clinical director Jason Leitch has thrown his club’s plans into confusion.

All clubs were told by the game’s Joint Response Group, via the SPFL, on Friday that one positive test for the new Omicron variant on a team bus would result in every single passenger having to self-isolate for 10 days.

That resulted in the Dons booking three separate coaches for yesterday’s trip to St Johnstone and asking some players and staff members to use their own transport to make it to McDiarmid Park.

However, Leitch appeared on BBC Scotland’s Off The Ball radio programme before kick-off to insist that was unnecessary.

‘I know what we have been told by the authorities but we are unsure now as other stuff has come out,’ said Glass (below). ‘We have a little bit of time before our next away game and I am sure we will get clarity.

‘We changed our plans for this game. More staff drove, some players brought their cars and we took an extra bus, too.

‘We came in three team buses just to be sure. The club has been extra diligent throughout and will continue to be, but there has to be real clarity with the rules.’

Asked if the confusion came directly from Leitch’s radio appearance, Glass replied: ‘Yeah, we were told he was on the radio saying all players don’t have to isolate — after we were told the opposite on Friday.’

Leitch stated his understanding of the rules in a live broadcast yesterday afternoon.

‘The rules have changed from the Government and those rules are pretty straightforward,’ he said. ‘If you are a household contact, irrespective of your vaccination status, you have to isolate for 10 days.

‘If you are a non-household contact, if you are a contact from work or a bus or train then you can test and release if you are doubly vaccinated.

‘You isolate, get a PCR test and if it’s negative you can go back about your business. In order to reduce the chances of you being a contact, on a bus for instance, that means reintroducing some distance.’

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson joined Glass in demanding clearer information as he prepares to take his team to Ibrox on Wednesday night.

‘We’re hoping for clarity on the Covid rules,’ he said. ‘I can’t afford to lose a whole bus of players.’