Celtic were quick to set the record straight with the Scottish Government over their training trip to Dubai.
The trip might be inadvisable on a number of grounds but it certainly wasn’t undertaken without the approval of the SFA and the Scottish Government.
Since clubs returned to training in June they have been following very strict protocols laid down by the football authorities and the Scottish Government.
Testing procedures have been set up with rules in place over how players travel to and from training and matches with club bubbles established.
Yesterday Deputy First Minister John Swinney played along with criticism of Celtic’s trip posed by John Beattie on Radio Scotland but having registered their disappointment that was followed by a Government statement that was eagerly taken up by most media outlets.
Celtic aren’t known for ‘taking ownership’ of issues but before the story was allowed to develop they quickly reminded the Sottish Government that clearance was granted almost two months earlier.
If the Scottish Government wish to continue with the issue they should take it up with the politicians and officials that gave Dubai their approval on November 12.
In response to the Scottish Government statement, the club has issued the following response:
‘The training camp was arranged a number of months ago & approved by all relevant footballing authorities & @scotgov through the Joint Response Group on 12th November 2020.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 4, 2021
The team travelled prior to any new lockdown being in place, to a location exempt from travel restrictions. The camp, the same one as we have undertaken for a number of years has been fully risk assessed.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 4, 2021
If the club had not received Scottish Government approval then we would not have travelled.’
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 4, 2021
