‘Too many poor decisions’: Celtic condemned by pundit in emphatic verdict on Dubai trip

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic controversy shows no sign of abating

Michael Stewart has joined the ranks of those taking aim at Celtic amid the fallout from their Dubai trip.

News that 13 players along with manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy have had to enter self-isolation following Christopher Jullien’s positive test has seen the club condemned from all sides.

Celtic’s match against Hibs at Celtic Park is still set to go ahead, but the champions will likely have to field a depleted side.

Asked about the Celtic situation in her daily briefing on BBC Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This whole episode should underline how serious the situation we are in now is. Everyone including football should be erring on the side of caution.

“I know fans of other clubs feel very strongly that the whole of football should not pay the price for the actions of any one club, and I agree with that.

“But of course a situation like this does make it essential for us to review the rules – including those around travel exemptions – and that’s what we will be doing. As we do, I do hope that Celtic themselves will reflect seriously on all of this.”

Former Hearts midfielder Stewart has accused the club of making “too many poor decisions”.

In a three-part Twitter thread, he said: “The fact Celtic are now without 13 first team players, a manager and an asst manager just further goes to show what an ill thought out idea it was to go to Dubai.

“These are not normal times and that trip should’ve been binned, plain and simple.

“On many levels the club have simply made too many poor decisions in the last year and the price of that is clear for all to see now.

“The fact Christopher Jullien, who is out for four months injured, went to Dubai got COVID and now 13 team mates his manager and asst manager have to self isolate sort of epitomises the whole saga.”

Celtic fell 22 points behind their rivals in the Premiership title race on Sunday when Rangers beat Aberdeen 2-1 at Pittodrie.

Lennon’s men currently have four games in hand, but today saw their fixture pile-up become even more severe as the Scottish Cup third round ties scheduled for the end of January were postponed.