Celtic have reacted quickly to news that Odsonne Edouard has returned a positive test while on international duty with the French u-21 squad.
The news was revealed at around 10.30pm on Tuesday (BST); rather than prompting concern for the players’ welfare most news outlets speculated on his availability for the next Celtic fixture, the Glasgow derby on October 17.
Celtic players are constantly tested with additional testing for their internationalists, while Edouard and others are away from the club the remaining players are back in training today at Lennoxtown.
Reacting to last night’s news, Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail reports:
Celtic sources played down talk of a squad outbreak ahead of the meeting with Rangers in 10 days’ time.
The Scottish champions ran tests on players on Tuesday, with internationals tested by their respective nations. To date Edouard is the only player to have tested positive amidst suspicions he contracted the virus en route to France to join international team-mates.
Nevertheless, question marks now exist over Edouard’s fitness and return travel plans for the Rangers clash at a time when £5million signing Albian Ajeti already faces a race against time to be fit.
There is confusion over how long Edouard will have to self isolate, in France it is for seven days, in Scotland the rule is 10 days. With the test taking place on Tuesday the self isolation period ends at midnight on Thursday October 15.
Either way Edouard will be available for the Glasgow derby but after the trauma of his test and the heavy toll of travel over the last month there will be a major doubt over whether he is in the right condition to start the match.
We can confirm that Odsonne Edouard has tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with France U21.
As it stands, no other #CelticFC player has returned a positive test.
Our thorough testing programme will continue and we will continue to follow all protocols. pic.twitter.com/JLJroRa7wY
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 6, 2020
