A report in the Daily Record claims that 13 Celtic players have been forced to self isolate.
There is no source for the story, the Record does have a history of jumping the gun but the breaking story at 11.46 this morning puts the leadership of the club in the dock.
While the trip was legal under current protocols it was arrogant and stupid to push ahead with it as the impact of the pandemic worsened in the lead up to Celtic’s departure.
BREAKING! 13 Celtic players and three staff told to isolate as Neil Lennon’s squad decimated
??????https://t.co/3Bxbg0t3im
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) January 11, 2021
Understand a total of 16 Celtic players and staff self-isolating (13 players, 3 staff)
— Raman Bhardwaj (@ramanbhardwajTV) January 11, 2021
When the Christmas relaxation was reduced from five days to one Celtic should have made the decision to cancel the trip but instead, clearly under the guidance of Peter Lawwell they decided to go ahead with the planned visit to Dubai.
From the moment that pictures circulated of Scott Brown and Neil Lennon drinking poolside the trip should have been called off, instead the club doubled down with a diet of stories emphasising the hard work that the squad was going through.
With 13 players confined to stay at home that work has been spectacularly undone with the leadership of Lawwell surely under threat after one ridiculous judgement too many.
NOW CONFIRMED
BREAKING: Celtic have confirmed that Christopher Jullien tested positive for #COVID19.
Manager Neil Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 other players are self-isolating, after being deemed as close contacts.
Celtic v Hibs will go ahead tonight.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 11, 2021