Fans and Nicola Sturgeon furious as Celtic travel to Dubai during pandemic

Fans and Nicola Sturgeon have been left furious as Celtic decided that it would be a good idea to travel to Dubai during Covid pandemic.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that the Glasgow giants are not to abuse the leeway they were given after photos went viral showing them at their training camp in Dubai after their derby defeat.

The Scottish FA will not be investigating Celtic’s decision to travel to Dubai for a winter training camp.

There was plenty of backlash towards the Scottish champions for travelling abroad on a non-essential journey in the midst of a pandemic, especially with their flight occurring just two days before severe restrictions were put in place.

The photos showed players and staff relaxing just hours after Neil Lennon’s side fell 19 points behind Rangers in what certainly can’t be called a title race following the 1-0 loss at Ibrox.

It was confirmed on Monday that top level Scottish football would be allowed to resume despite the new restrictions, but the First Minister has emphasised the importance of Celtic following the rules.

In tweets posted on Tuesday afternoon, reporter Raman Bhardwaj quoted the First Minister as saying: “I’ve seen some photographs…that would raise a question in my mind about whether all the rules of what elite players have to do within their bubbles around social distancing are being complied with…so I think there are things that should be looked into.

“Elite sport has been in a privileged position over the last year doing things that the general public can’t do…It’s really important they don’t abuse it, that they use it for the purposes intended and that applies to Celtic as it would to anyone else in that position.”

BBC Scotland Sports News Correspondent Chris McLaughlin quoted the First Minister as saying: “We gave the SFA advice over elite training camps but it’s not up to us to sign off travel plans. The question is the purpose of them being there.”

Speaking to the BBC on Monday about Celtic’s trip, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “I don’t think it’s a good idea. I don’t think it’s a particularly great example to set.”

A Scottish Government statement said they “would expect the SFA to look into Celtic’s trip further.”

In response to the Scottish Government statement, the club has issued the following response:

‘The training camp was arranged a number of months ago & approved by all relevant footballing authorities & @scotgov through the Joint Response Group on 12th November 2020.

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 4, 2021

In response, Celtic released a three-part Twitter thread justifying the trip in which they insisted: “If the club had not received Scottish Government approval then we would not have travelled.”

In response to the Scottish Government statement, the club has issued the following response:

‘The training camp was arranged a number of months ago & approved by all relevant footballing authorities & @scotgov through the Joint Response Group on 12th November 2020.

The team travelled prior to any new lockdown being in place, to a location exempt from travel restrictions. The camp, the same one as we have undertaken for a number of years has been fully risk assessed.

If the club had not received Scottish Government approval then we would not have travelled.’

Fans and Nicola Sturgeon were furious as Celtic travel to Dubai during the pandemic…

@Jim_B_71: Why on earth are Celtic allowed to travel to Dubai when the rest of us are told to stay at home, avoid unnecessary travel & can’t go outside our own local authority area? Terrible optics & messaging. Anyone remember our FM berating Aberdeen players for having a few drinks?

@therichardcobb: Mind when the @spfl gave Celtic their blessing to go on a jolly to Dubai but wouldn’t let Hearts travel to Berwick-upon-Tweed?

@comedyray: Hope Celtic get stuck in Dubai for 6 months and have to play friendlies against teams of Influencers also stuck out there.

@Doobs12: Rangers request a fixture change for the Uefa cup final – Denied. Celtic request fixture change for a training camp in Dubai in the middle of a global Pandemic – Approved, after Hibs said no to the change. Don’t ever tell us there’s a pro Rangers agenda up here

@bluebreeze1970s: The question that must be asked to @NicolaSturgeon is what Tier are Celtic in? Given they can fly off to Dubai for a weeks break. And as a follow up how do we apply for this previously unheard of Tier?

@MrMcEnaney: I’m a Celtic fan, but it is utterly indefensible for the squad to swan off to Dubai in the middle of a global pandemic. The rest of us are told to stay at home while they soak up the sun by the pool. Who the hell do they think they are?

@pieandbov: Mind when one of the charges flung at St.Mirren, costing them two forfeits in the process, was players car sharing to get to work? Can therefore only assume that each Celtic player has their own plane to take them to Dubai and back. Impressive.

@deanomac54: Celtic have been allowed to swan off to Dubai in the middle of a global pandemic while being 3 games behind in the league and also having made Hibs rearrange a fixture to accommodate said trip. Don’t ever let them say the footballing authorities are against them.

@Martin71345995: As @NicolaSturgeon prepares to place even tougher restrictions on the general population how have Celtic been allowed to go on the beers in Dubai for a few days with a clear lack of social distancing? @jasonleitch care to explain that to the people of Scotland?

When the Celtic team flight gets back from Dubai pic.twitter.com/c53SgLEVqk

— moorey (@Jasonmoorey) January 3, 2021

Celtic fans furious as Neil Lennon and Scott Brown spend the afternoon doing nothing.

Before flying to Dubai and getting this picture taken pic.twitter.com/8c3cC7tkdk

— Oldfirmfacts (@Oldfirmfacts1) January 3, 2021

Celtic going to Dubai for a training camp in these times doesn’t sit well with me at all. It may be within the rules for both governments/authorities, but it’s certainly not in the spirit of the rules.

— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 2, 2021