CELTIC’S foreign players have been ordered to return to Scotland to make sure they are prepared if the season restarts.
Eight of the first team squad went back to their respective homelands to live with their families when the world went into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Players such as Kristoffer Ajer and on-loan Mohamed Elyounoussi (Norway), Tom Rogic (Australia), Olivier Ntcham (France) and the Israeli double-act of Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed left Scotland following the mid-March stoppage to the campaign and were later warned they faced quarantine when the returned, as CQN reported last month.
They have now been told to make travel plans to make their way to Glasgow within the next week or so and place themselves in self-isolation for a fortnight, according to a report in the Daily Record.
The Hoops have insisted throughout the worldwide outbreak that they wish for the current campaign to be played to a conclusion.
The champions were sitting on top of the Premiership with a lead of 13 points and only eight games to go when there was a premature halt to their inevitable ninth successive title.
They had also been due to play Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Easter Sunday as they eyed a phenomenal quadruple treble.
There is no indication as yet that it will be possible for season 2019/20 to get back up and running over the summer – with the SPFL board fearing next term might not start until September or October.
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT…
CQN would like to thank our readers for their patience in the interruption to the launch of Alex Gordon’s latest Celtic book, ‘Fifty Flags’, which was due to be published in March.
Unfortunately, production of the tome, which thoroughly examines the glorious half-century of seasons in which the Parkhead men were crowned Scotland champions, came to an unfortunate halt due to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
The support for ‘Fifty Flags’ has been overwhelming and author Alex said: “The response to the book has been utterly astonishing and I can only say how totally grateful I am to CQN readers for their backing. I can only hope it will be worth the wait.
“We are depending on the printers letting us know when the run will commence and we are in their hands at the moment. It will be published this year and CQN will keep the readers up to date. Thanks for your patience, folks. It’s much appreciated.
“Main thing, though, in these testing times is to take care and stay safe. See you all when we get the green light.”
