With Nir Bitton testing positive on international duty there must be concerns over the safety of Hatem Abd Elhamed during the remainder of the international break.
Israel were already without a couple of players for Thursday’s match at Hampden, tomorrow their squad will be in action at home to the Czech Republic before a trip to Slovakia on Wednesday.
That will be three venues, hotels and airports for Elhamed inside a bubble that has returned positive tests, before the defender flies back to Scotland on Thursday via London.
Footballers may have special status in regards to Quarantine and self isolation but there is no immunity against the risks from three sets of hotels and airports in a week.
Voicing their concern, tonight, Celtic stated:
While we apportion no blame whatsoever to anyone, this is now a very difficult position for us and, clearly, for all other clubs. Like all other clubs, we must do all we can to protect our squad and limit the very clear and obvious risks to players. Under FIFA regulations, clubs are obliged to release players for international duty.
We will be maintaining close contact with international associations in order to ensure everything possible is being done with regards to the care and protection of our players. The priority must be the safety of our players at all times.
For clarification, all members of the Celtic squad who continue to train at Lennoxtown during this period have again ALL returned negative tests yesterday.
Ryan Christie has already been ruled out of Saturday’s Glasgow derby by an official of Lothian Track and Trace with Odsonne Eduoard in self-isolation until Friday when he returns to Scotland.
Celtic’s statement reveals that Bitton tested positive on Friday on international duty which would suggest that he played at Hampden the previous night while positive.