Celtic player positive for Covid after squad returns from Dubai

A Celtic player has tested positive for Covid-19, just days after the team arrived back from a training camp in Dubai.

The club confirmed the news in a message posted on social media.

A tweet posted by Celtic 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.”

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.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 10, 2021

News of the positive coronavirus case comes after a war of words broke out between Celtic and the Scottish Government over the club’s decision to fly out to the Middle East.

Manager Neil Lennon says Celtic’s winter training camp in Dubai had all the necessary Covid protocols in place,

Lennon also said the trip was given approval by the Scottish Government.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon believes Celtic have questions to answer over their trip while Scotland deals with heightened restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Last week, she questioned whether Celtic had been adhering to social distancing guidelines after seeing photos from their hotel.

Celtic players and staff flew out to Dubai following their 1-0 defeat to Rangers on January 2 and spent a week training in the United Arab Emirates.

On Saturday, Celtic’s assistant manager John Kennedy said the club was guilty of “minor slip-ups” in relation to Covid-19 protocols during their stay in the Middle East, but insisted the club did all they could to follow the guidelines.

And Kennedy said he does not believe any positive test would necessarily put them in a difficult situation.

“Everyone is in the same position,” he said. “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.

“The latest lockdown didn’t come until we were in Dubai. We went out thinking we were good to go, we have had the approval, there are no travel restrictions. We went over on our own flight, didn’t mingle with anyone.”