Scottish Premiership

CELTIC face a Covid crisis after THIRTEEN players were forced to self-isolate following Christopher Jullien’s positive case.
And boss Neil Lennon and assistant manager John Kennedy have also been told to stay at home.

Celtic are meant to host Hibs tonight at ParkheadCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

It comes just days after the Hoops returned from their controversial trip to Dubai.
The Parkhead giants confirmed they plan to fulfil tonight’s fixture against Hibs despite being without several key personnel. 
SunSport understands reserve coaches Tommy McIntyre and Stephen McManus will be helping Gavin Strachan in the dugout. 
A host of reserve players have also been called-up, with Karamoko Dembele, Armstrong Oko-Flex and Cameron Harper among them.

A club statement confirmed: “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.
“The Club would like to thank the Scottish FA, JRG and the Scottish Government for their assistance in managing this case. Celtic will, of course, fulfil its fixture against Hibernian this evening.
“Clearly we are hugely disappointed, as we know our supporters will be.

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Celtic defender Christopher Jullien has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: PA:Press Association
“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.
“These protocols have served us well in the past, as the Club has not had one positive case in our own ‘bubble’ until now.
“As we have already stated, Celtic’s decision to travel to Dubai for a training camp was for performance reasons.
“Whilst we were in Dubai, the announcements made on January 4 significantly changed the COVID landscape.  
“The reality is that a case could well have occurred had the team remained in Scotland, as other cases have done in Scottish football and across UK sport in the past week.
“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.”
Scotland’s travel corridor with the desert state slammed shut last night as a 10-day quarantine for returning travellers was put in place.
Speaking today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It’s impossible for me to talk about Dubai today without making some mention of the situation with Celtic Football Club.
“I can’t tell you how disappointed and frustrating I am to be facing another briefing that may, though this is of course up to journalists, be dominated by football.
“Football and elite sport more generally enjoys a number of privileges right now that the rest of us don’t have.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admits she doubts Celtic’s trip to Dubai was essential
“These privileges include the right to go to overseas training camps and be exempt from quarantine on return.
“It is really vital, obviously for public health reasons, but I also think out of respect for the rest of the population living under really heavy restrictions, that these privileges are not abused.
“I know that what I’m about to say won’t please everyone. Nothing I can say about football ever pleases everyone.
“But as I have said before, I do have doubts about how the club itself described it, doubts about whether Celtic’s trip to Dubai was really essential.
“I have doubts based on some doubts I’ve seen about whether adherence to bubble rules was strict enough.
“Celtic now have a positive case and another 15 playing and coaching staff are being required to isolate.

“Now, as in any situation like this, it’s for the football authorities to decide whether any further action is necessary and it’s for them to consider that carefully.
“But this whole episode should underline how serious the situation we are in is and why 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 of any one club, whoever they may be, and I agree with that.
“However, a situation like this does make it essential for us to review the rules, including those around travel exemptions and that is of course what we will be doing.
“But as we do, I would hope that Celtic themselves would reflect seriously on all of this.”

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ON LOAN Celtic kid Jonathan Afolabi has been subjected to online racist abuse.
The Hoops youngster is on loan at Dundee this season and scored in their Scottish Cup victory over Bonnyrigg Rose last night.

⚠️Read our Scottish transfer live blog for the latest news & gossip

Jonathan Afolabi was subjected to online racist abuse after playing for DundeeCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
And after the dramatic match – in which the Dens Park side came from behind to win 3-2 – the striker shared seven disgusting messages – sent to him on Instagram by one individual.
In the several sick posts, Afolabi was branded the ‘n-word’ and “a f*****g monkey”.
He posted the sick messages on to his Insta story on the social media app.

Screenshotting the comments, he wrote: “Ye sound mate!”

Following last night’s Scottish Cup victory over Bonnyrigg Rose we were made aware of vile racist messages that had been directed to one of our players.Dundee Football Club utterly condemns racism in any form. https://t.co/REw4yyHsgl
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) January 10, 2021

A spokesperson for Celtic said: “Such vile, abhorrent behaviour must be challenged and condemned wherever it exists. 
“It is disgraceful that Jonathan should be targeted in this way through such sickening racist abuse.
“Jonathan is a young player who will receive the full support of everyone at Celtic.

“Everything should be done to identify those responsible and all appropriate action should be taken.”

The striker has done well at Dens on loan from CelticCredit: Michael Schofield – The Sun Glasgow
And loan club Dundee have released a strong statement warning that any form of abuse will not be tolerated.
A club spokesperson said: “Following last night’s Scottish Cup victory over Bonnyrigg Rose we were made aware of vile racist messages that had been directed to one of our players.
“Dundee Football Club utterly condemns racism in any form.
“Racism has no place in society. We have reported these unacceptable messages and will look into what further steps can be taken.
“Sadly, this isn’t the first incident in the last seven days which has seen one of our players being subjected to abuse. After last weekend’s match with Heart of Midlothian, another player received disgusting messages which have also been reported.

Afolabi scores against HeartsCredit: Michael Schofield – The Sun Glasgow
“As a club we have zero tolerance for these abusive messages and give our players our full support.”
Fans from both Dundee and parent club Celtic have been quick to show their support for the 20-year-old.
@DensParkChoir said: “This is not on @Dundee FC (please look into this!).
“Disgusting. We’re all with you Jono.
“This is 2021. There’s no room for this in the world. #SayNoToRacism.
“We take the knee until the message is heard and understood by EVERYONE.
“There is no room for racial discrimination in society let alone football. We stand with Jonathan Afolabi.
“Say. No. To. Racism.”
@peter_mackay_ said: “Jonathan Afolabi shared this on Instagram. Disgusting behaviour. Must be stopped.”

@ben_hafc18 said: “Jonathan Afolabi shares the disgusting racial abuse he received after tonight’s game. THIS. NEEDS. TO. STOP.”
Another added: “Some vile disgusting RACIST posted abhorrent messages on social media last night directed at Jonathan Afolabi.”
Celtic have been contacted for comment.

Sturgeon asks ‘what is the purpose’ of Celtic Dubai trip and says elite sports teams should ‘not abuse’ privileged position More

CELTIC have confirmed one player has tested positive for coronavirus following their trip to Dubai.
The Hoops revealed in a statement that everybody else within the first team bubble are negative.

Celtic confirmed the news this afternoonCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

The Parkhead club returned home from the Middle East on Friday evening.
The first team spent six days in the UAE for a warm weather training camp in a bid to try get their season back on track.
Now, 48-hours after returning home to Glasgow, one player, who is unnamed at this time, has contracted the deadly virus.
A club statement read: “Celtic today confirmed that one player has recorded a positive test for covid-19.

Celtic today confirmed that one player has recorded a positive test for covid-19. Clearly the player will receive all our care and full support.All other members of our squad, management team and backroom squad are negative.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 10, 2021

“Clearly the player will receive all our care and full support.
“All other members of our squad, management team and backroom squad are negative.”
First minister Nicola Sturgeon called for the SFA to look into the trip last week.
The FM said snaps widely shared online “raised a question” whether “all the rules on what elite players have to do within their bubbles around social distancing are being complied with.”

However, we then told you how the SFA WON’T investigate Celtic’s decision to travel for the winter training camp in the UAE.
SunSport understands the SFA feels there is no need to investigate Celtic’s decision to go on the trip which they and all relevant authorities signed off on back in November when the SPFL agreed to move their match against Hibernian to January 11.
It will then be over to the compliance officer to decide as to whether any protocol breaches have taken place out there – but there is no suggestion as yet that the Hoops will face any further action.
The Scottish Government said last Monday: “We would expect the SFA to look into Celtic’s trip further – while there are travel exemptions for elite sports which are designed to facilitate international and European competition, if we feel they’re being abused, we won’t hesitate to remove this privilege.”
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Yesterday assistant manager John Kennedy said the club had made “minor slip-ups” during the trip.
He told the media: “Listen, there have been slip ups with minor things and if you get a snapshot of something you can criticise and jump on it.
“We as much as we possibly can we speak to the players in terms of the protocols they must adhere to. Because everyone wants football to continue. We want to abide by all the rules.

“Any errror in that we try to eradicate that and fix it. That is what we did.
“The picture paints maybe a bleak picture.
“We have to move on from that, the government and the SFA have said there isn’t really a case to answer.”

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CALLUM MCGREGOR’S own goal consigned Celtic to defeat as Rangers moved 19 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Neil Lennon opted to stick with Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull in his midfield, with the likes of Scott Brown and Shane Duffy consigned to the bench.

Joe Aribo led the Rangers celebrationsCredit: Reuters

Rangers took the lead from a 70th minute set pieceCredit: Reuters

Rangers lead at Ibrox! 🟦Callum McGregor’s own-goal puts the hosts ahead against Celtic!Watch live on Sky Sports Football now! pic.twitter.com/iNul5u3GnW
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 2, 2021

The Northern Irishman’s selections looked to be working nicely, as Celtic dominated for large spells at Ibrox.
But the match turned on Nir Bitton’s 62nd minute red card.
The Israeli, selected ahead of Duffy, was turned by Alfredo Morelos – and subsequently hauled down the Colombian.
Referee Bobby Madden had no hesitation, as he reached for his back pocket and dismissed the Celtic defender.

Rangers took the lead just eight minutes later.
James Tavernier’s corner was met by Joe Aribo, whose glancing header hit the helpless McGregor and trickled past Vasilios Barkas.
Duffy, who came on after Bitton’s dismissal, might have been shown a red himself shortly after, following a reckless, lunging challenge.
Lennon then turned to Brown, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Tom Rogic as he chased a late equaliser.

Bitton was dismissed after hauling down MorelosCredit: Rex Features

Neither side gave an inch in the tackleCredit: Reuters

Neil Lennon watched his side fall 19 points behind their bitter rivalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

But Rangers held firm to hand themselves a commanding 19 point lead at the top, although Celtic do still have three games in hand.
Gers No1 Allan McGregor told Sky Sports after the game: “Hopefully in five months’ time it will be a huge win. I thought we were really, really poor in the first half and the 15 minutes before the sending off occurred.
“We were a wee bit better after that but the win is the most important thing. I’ve no idea why but they looked hungrier first half but we managed to get the win.
“I wasn’t annoyed at having to be so busy. It’s part and parcel of the game, you need to focus and be ready for anything that is thrown at you.
“But I was annoyed at how bad we were. I keep repeating myself, the win is the most important thing.
“The boys dug it out well. If you go back to Walter’s (Smith) era, he was really good at that but that comes from the players and the messages the manager gives to us to carry out.”

Allan McGregor was forced to make some outstanding savesCredit: Reuters

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CELTIC have revealed the shock news that Christopher Jullien is out for up to FOUR months with a knee injury.
The big French defender was stretchered off against Dundee United after he collided with the post.

Celtic star Christopher Jullien is stretchered off against Dundee UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association

Jullien knew immediately that he was struggling after the incident

And now Hoops boss Neil Lennon has confirmed the news which fans were dreading – he is now on the club’s long-term injured list.
The Northern Irishman recalled Nir Bitton in his place for today’s Old Firm clash with Rangers.
And after announcing his starting XI, Lennon revealed the huge Jullien blow to Sky Sports, saying: “He is a very important player for us but it is a bad injury and we are going to lose him for quite a period of time – maybe three or four months.
“On the eve of this game, it is a bit of a hammer blow for us really.”

The Hoops defender clattered his knee into a post as he bravely cleared a goalbound Marc McNulty shot off the line in the 3-0 win over Dundee United.
But the crucial intervention just two minutes into the second half came at a cost as it became immediately obvious the big Frenchman was in serious pain.
Meanwhile Neil Lennon said that today’s Glasgow grudge match is the biggest of his career.
Celtic need a win to keep alive their ten in a row hopes, with Rangers 16 points ahead having played three games more. Defeat would push Steven Gerrard’s side closer to a first top-flight title in a decade.

Asked if this was the most important Old Firm he had faced, Lennon said: “Yeah. They are always important.
“But with the position we find ourselves in, it’s important we don’t lose the game.
“We’re playing well, we’ve found a bit of form and consistency at the right time. So it’s important we take that into the game against a team that has started the season absolutely brilliantly.
“But it’s not beyond us at all. I think we go into the game in a positive frame of mind and take the game to Rangers as much as we possibly can.”

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