St Mirren suspend training after staff test positive for Covid

St Mirren have said training has been suspended after “a number” of staff tested positive for Covid.

The club has not specified how many people are affected, and how many are first team players, but those affected were identified during lateral flow testing.

PCR tests have now been taken and individuals will self-isolate according to government guidelines.

The team are scheduled to play Celtic on Wednesday and Rangers on Boxing Day and say that “as it stands” the games will go ahead but that they will continue to monitor the situation in the coming days.

The news comes as Scottish clubs look to minimise risk as Covid cases in Scotland increase. Dundee United have recorded positive cases this week and Dundee also confirmed on Friday that they have been affected, while St Johnstone striker Chris Kane is self-isolating as a close contact.

Livingston manager David Martindale has called for an immediate shutdown of the league as a “circuit break” but his view is not shared by all other managers in the Premiership.

Scottish football’s Joint Response Group is understood to be looking at the current protocols and if changes can be made to help clubs and staff stay safe.