Even before Nir Bitton’s positive test there was little appetite for international football among Celtic fans- last night’s news reinforced views that the current programme needs to be scrapped.
Halting the domestic campaign for a fortnight in September, October and November has been grudgingly accepted in recent seasons but the developments of the last week take the international demands into an entirely new area.
Since June Celtic have had their players in a protective bubble, sacrificing a lot of their normal activities with the expense of twice weekly testing and other measures.
Last Sunday there were no positive tests among Neil Lennon’s squad and backroom staff, a week later he has had two positive tests from international duty with Ryan Christie ruled out of the next domestic match on the basis of a phone call from someone in Lothian Health, the midfielder has returned negative tests since the announcement.
Celtic have twice explained that their hands are tied regarding the release of players for international duty but that has been contradicted by RB Salzburg who have kept their players in the club bubble during the current break.
Next month the SFA could be requesting the services of Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor, Christie, James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths. There will also be others demands to have players for the third tier of international football- the recently created Nations League.
As a PLC Celtic fall back on making decisions with the business and balance sheet in mind, doing a Salzburg ‘team quarantine’ next month looks hard to resist and will result in virtually no backlash from supporters.
Celtic Football Club statement
https://t.co/p0sgYLUAFb— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 10, 2020
Do something about it. It’s an absolute joke. We’ve spent a fortune testing etc for these guys to go all over the place & what a surprise multiple now isolating. It’s not our fault but it is now up to club to get them back safely & refuse permission next time as clearly not safe
— The truth (@Thetrut54051138) October 10, 2020
I would genuinely incur the wrath of FIFA and call all players home. Make a statement. What an absolute shambles this whole thing is. From start to finish. From this Cafe nonsense, to opening boozers in time for the Summer, to allowing people to still get on a plane etc. Joke.
— Chris? (@crocoman07) October 10, 2020
Like most things in football for FIFA or UEFA to pay attention players from Barca , Madrid , juve, Bayern and top English clubs need to start getting positive tests then something might be done about players having to travel for international duty
— steven (@Beaumontbhoy) October 10, 2020
Ffs do a Salzburg and recall all our players now Celtic! This is getting ridiculous. Tell FIFA to do one. Ridiculous they’ve got players flying here, there and everywhere during a pandemic. They aren’t paying our players wages. Get tough, enough’s enough pic.twitter.com/X88mwybIti
— Mark Reilly (@OrdellRobbieCSC) October 10, 2020
Given the nature of the virus, it’s time to drop players completely from the international scene. Let the Scotland u18s play instead and we’ll just agree to a “football refresh” when all of this madness is over.
It’s looking very much like that a vaccine is a good distance away.
— Martin Christian™ (@martychristiano) October 10, 2020
It’s farcical mate. Completely unnecessary risk to players healths.
— Ian Smith (@IanSmithLFC) October 10, 2020
Pull all of them. It’s clearly a risk that undermines all the hard work of the clubs – and fans – who pay these guys wages. International football is a nonsense when global movement is being advised against by every government.
— redwitch (@Redw1tch1) October 10, 2020