Hibernian manager Jack Ross has dismissed any concerns regarding Celtic’s much criticised trip to Dubai during the week. The former Sunderland manager will take his side to Celtic Park on Monday night after the game was rearranged to accommodate the mid-season training camp in the UAE.
As reported by The Glasgow Times, Ross said he has no concerns about facing Celtic – even if he doesn’t agree with the decision to leave the country given the restrictions in place. The Hibs boss says that he doesn’t think Celtic are the only ones to have acted in this way.
“No, none at all.
“I would strongly disagree in terms of how respectful we’ve been of, first of all, the virus, and second of all the parameters we have to work within.
“I don’t think you spend as much money as we have as a club, on testing and satisfying the protocols, dealing with some of the other challenges that aren’t well documented, without taking it seriously.
“I can only speak for one club but we’ve been hugely respectful of the opportunity we’ve been given to get back to work and maintain that through the six or seven months we’ve been back.
“I have to say this. I’m not offering an opinion on Celtic being there or not. But what I’m saying is I don’t think they were the only ones there.
“Over the last few months, there have been a lot of people left this country and come back into this country. Whether you want to isolate it as football, that’s the only thing I would say.
“I’m sure, if you asked everyone on this call, that they’d know someone who has ventured overseas. I’m quite sure of that.”
There has been considerable outcry from both within and outside the club after the players and staff were pictured pool side in Dubai. However, as the SFA and the Scottish Government gave the ok to make the trip there will be no investigation. If the trip helps win the league fans won’t be too bothered. Although the decision to go away looks very bad considering fans, who paid their Season Ticket money can’t leave the house
Celtic face the daunting task of overturning a 19 point lead on their return to action. With three games in hand, they can almost half that tally but given Rangers’ impressive results, Neil Lennon will know that his side can’t drop any more points.
