Celtic hit by new positive Covid test as fallout from controversial Dubai trip continues

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Celtic already had 13 players, a manager and an assistant manager self-isolating

Celtic have received more bad news following their trip to Dubai with confirmation that another player has tested positive for Covid-19.

Defender Christopher Jullien had already tested positive following the trip to Dubai.

That news led to 13 players being required to self-isolate, with manager Neil Lennon and his assistant John Kennedy both self-isolating as well.

That left Gavin Strachan in the dugout for Celtic’ last two matches, which ended in 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Hibs and Livingston respectively.

News of the latest positive test was confirmed by Sky Sports News journalist Anthony Joseph, who tweeted on Monday afternoon: “BREAKING: Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed that one more player has tested positive for Covid-19, following the club’s training camp in Dubai.”

The trip to Dubai has received criticism from numerous pundits, including former Celtic striker Andy Walker.

He told Sky Sports: “We’re seeing some dismal governance from this club. It is unbelievably arrogant to abuse your status as an elite sportsman.

“That was only brought in for international, for European competition. Not for a jolly in Dubai, and I don’t know of any club in Europe, any top club who are thinking of going to sunnier climes to get some warm weather training.

“The whole makeup of this club is social responsibility. A bit of understanding of what the supporters are going through.

“They can’t see their families, and Celtic are jetting off to Dubai. And they still think it’s the right thing to do.

“Others can’t see their families, and Celtic are being so arrogant. This is not the club that I played for. There was no arrogance, and that is what is underpinning this whole debacle here. Arrogance.”

Celtic are now 21 points behind Rangers in the title race, with the Ibrox club securing a 1-1 draw against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.

Lennon’s men are next in action on Wednesday night when they face Livingston for a second consecutive match. This time the two sides will meet at the Tony Macaroni Arena.