St Mirren have had a postponement request rejected by the SPFL, despite a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp. The Paisley outfit have suffered from the new Omicron variant, leaving a number of first-team players out of action.
The Buddies will face Celtic and Rangers in the space of the week, despite the lack of players at Jim Goodwin’s disposal. Whilst Celtic have suffered at the hands of the SPFL for COVID-19 rules, allowing this game to go ahead with the Saints fielding a greatly depleted team.
Celtic have their own concerns with players missing out. Jota, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Christopher Jullien, Albian Ajeti and James Forrest are still out. Kyogo and Mikey Johnston both returned as the Celts lifted their first trophy under Ange Postecoglou but both were subsequently subbed off. It remains to be seen whether or not they will be fit enough to continue in Paisley or whether they’ll need extra time for recovery.
Celtic have already called on the SPFL to bring forward the winter break scheduled for early January. They are said to be joined by another nine teams in this stance of bringing forward the break in order to allow the safe return of fans. With Nicola Sturgeon’s decision for 500 fans to be entitled into grounds from Boxing Day onwards for three weeks, this would allow for games to be taken in by supporters – who are the lifeblood of the game.