It is the news every Celtic fan had been dreading. The COVID nightmare continues as Celtic release a statement confirming that Christopher Jullien was the player that had tested positive for coronavirus and in line with Government regulations, THIRTEEN first team players, Assistant Manager John Kennedy AND Manager Neil Lennon all must self isolate due to being deemed a “close contact” to the French defender.
As yet, all players and backroom staff have returned negative test result but the isolation being forced on the club will cause a nightmare scenario for upcoming fixtures.
The statement, released on celticfc.com said, “Celtic Football Club confirmed today that Christopher Jullien has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating at home. We wish Christopher a speedy recovery.
“While all of the other members of the squad and backroom team have tested negative, we have been informed by the authorities that, having been deemed ‘close contacts’, Celtic manager Neil Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 first-team players will be required to self-isolate on a precautionary basis as required by the current regulations.
“Celtic will, of course, fulfill its fixture against Hibernian this evening.
“Clearly we are hugely disappointed, as we know our supporters will be. The contacts were identified during the period from Wednesday last week, primarily around flight and team coach travel, during which time Celtic applied the same rigorous protocols used for pre-season training camps, UEFA match travel and for all domestic match arrangements in Scotland.
“Celtic has done everything it can to ensure we have in place the very best procedures and protocols. From the outset of the pandemic, Celtic has worked closely with the Scottish Government and Scottish football and we will continue to do so.”
The full statement from the club can be read in full in the link provided, but Celtic now face an ever more uphill struggle to chase down their rivals at the top of the table
All at Vital Celtic wish Jullien a speedy recovery.