Former Celtic physio Brian Scott, who served the club with distinction for many years, has intervened in the row over Celtic’s decision to take an injured player to the winter training camp in Dubai.
It’s a perfect example of Sod’s law that the injured player in question – defender Christopher Jullien – was also the one who would test positive for coronavirus and throw Celtic’s remaining flicker of a hope of retaining the title for a tenth successive year into disarray.
And those wishing to put the boot into Celtic have been quick to point out that bringing an injured player – Jullien is facing three to four months on the sidelines after colliding with a goalpost at Celtic Park at the end of last month in the win over Dundee Utd – proves that the camp was about R&R and not elite training therefore Celtic were guilty of breaching the protocols.
And even many Celtic minded commentators have questioned the decision to take Jullien on the Dubai trip. Here’s Chris Sutton doing just that…
.@btsportfootball Celtic have no excuse as to why Christopher Jullien was in Dubai…👇 pic.twitter.com/eoYw30L9eI
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) January 11, 2021
And the Bhoys at Celtic Are Here were also among those within our support questioning the decision…
Christopher Jullien is the man who tested positive. He was told he was out for 4 months before the trip took place, and they took him anyway.
— CeltsAreHere (@HereCelts) January 11, 2021
So it’s well worth listening to what Brian Scott, who was the Celtic physio for over two decades working with every manager from Billy McNeill through to Martin O’Neill, has to say.
“I would imagine that the medical staff regarded it as a great opportunity to work on Jullien morning, noon and night, which they obviously couldn’t have done if he’d been left behind,” Scott stated as reported by Scottish Sun.
“We did the same thing with Morten Wieghorst. He came with us on a winter break to Florida when Martin was manager in 2001 when he was on crutches and it helped us get him back into action quicker than he would have done otherwise.
“Having that extra time to work with a player on their rehab can make a big difference and I imagine that what the club was thinking about when they took him.”
Brian Scott, the much respected Celtic physio from 1979-2002. Hugely popular with players and supporters alike. Would be good to read his memoirs. pic.twitter.com/5EC2tCWVhC
— St.Anthony (@Stephen4_2) May 28, 2020
