CHIEF EXECUTIVE PETER Lawwell has admitted Celtic’s controversial decision to go to Dubai was “a mistake” and has apologised to Hoops fans.
The Parkhead club had confirmed Christopher Jullien tested positive but all others and staff members were negative after being checked following their return to Scotland from a training camp last Friday.
However, 13 other players, manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy were deemed to be close contacts and had to join the French defender in self-isolation.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon questioned whether the trip was essential and revealed doubts “based on some pictures I’ve seen whether adherence to bubble rules was strict enough”.
Celtic fans themselves were leading the widespread criticism and amid a furore, it was a makeshift Hoops side which drew 1-1 at home with Hibernian on Monday night.
Speaking in an in-house interview on the club’s official website Lawwell addressed the issue and said:
It has been an extremely difficult few days and on reflection, looking back and with hindsight and looking at the outcome of the trip, clearly it was a mistake and for that I profoundly apologise to our supporters.
“We left here and the rationale for the camp was very much with the best intentions.
“Things haven’t gone the way we wanted to and the outcome is clearly very regrettable.”
The draw against Hibs did little to lift the mood of the Celtic fans as it left them 21 points behind Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership with three games in hand and with their bid for 10 in a row in some jeopardy.
Lawwell expanded on the thinking behind the mid-season break abroad.
He said: “If you look back over the last four years, going to the camp in Dubai has been extremely successful.
“And the decisions we made in entirely for the best interests of the team and the best interests of the club.
“What we planned to do was take them again these facilities, which are world-class, after a very hectic programme in November and December which has in the past proven to be a great benefit in terms of performance after January, to get to that performance level again.
“In terms of the facts surrounding the trip, we decided in November to go and were permitted to go.
“Clearly the landscape has changed significantly, particularly in the run up of going to Dubai, particularly the infection rate and whatever.
“But at the time, Dubai was still part of the green corridor for the UK and Scottish travel right up until we left.
“We were deploying the same protocols that we have done since the bubble started in June and up until this stage we haven’t had one positive.
“The protocols are robust and proven and were put in place for the Dubai trip.
Overall, the decision to go was for the right reasons, for performance and, of course, at the end of the day the outcome of that has been really disappointing.”
Lawwell was asked about accusations of arrogance and the questioning of the club’s values.
He said: “I don’t see that, I don’t agree with that and I think it is actually unfair.
“I do understand people questioning the decision to go.
“This club, the values and standards we have in terms of integrity, respect and humility are there.
“Again, looking at the pandemic, it is fair to say that we have done an awful lot as a club.
“The attitude we have to it has been responsible in terms of our record, and how we have been protecting our people and our players, how we have really been at the forefront of getting Scottish football back to training and playing.
“And through our foundation we have donated over £1million to those have been worst affected by this horrendous pandemic.
“So I think it is unfair. We have made a mistake and we apologise for that but the club that the fans would like to have and have had, is here.”
It wasn’t tongue in cheek though. Crook has has several discussions on his shows about this. Fair play to Ferguson for slapping that down the way he did
It was a question and he answered it perfectly. My god… the drama.
@IrishOwl: the same question he has answered a few times already.with crook been the “chief football correspondent” thought he would know the answer coming better than most.he was 100% been smart and trying make light of it now. Gobsh**t for talksh**t.
@Paully kells: think your a bitter man paulie. always angry. maybe open a beer and relax a bit.
We have had our fair share of English born players playing for Ireland, not to mention the hatred towards two current English internationals who were born and grew up in England. We had a CEO that wanted to be the 33rd team in a world cup. Don’t think we’re in any position to criticize these questions.
@Louise Murphy: he’s not bitter at all Lou, I enjoy Paullys comments here and on this occasion he is right. Mute him if it annoys you.
@Louise Murphy: not atal..but I’d say the young lad is getting rather sick of the same question over and over..he’s made it clear…take care
Why do the Sky sports commentators pronounce the foreign player’s names properly eg Henry or Pires , bit they don’t pay the irish player’s the same respect eg Moran, Kernaghan, Hourihane (though they do pronounce this name properly now since he took them up on it live on television)?
@Louis Jacob: Probably for the same reason Hollywood can’t do the Irish accent.
@Louis Jacob: bit they dont?
The Brits have such a polite way of being ignorant.
I suspect a lot of German fans would like to see Harry Kane line out for them. But the English wouldn’t take it too well if he was constantly pestered about it. Tin ear stuff really..
Crook-cheif football correspondent for talk sh**t he hasn’t much between the ears,and he knows damn well he was been disrespectful, well done to Evan with he’s reply put him into place.
The audacity of that question !!
Ignorant on so many levels. Ferguson is ineligible for England now. He doesn’t feel English at all. He is Irish and proud, born and bred here with an Irish father. Yes his mother is English but very disrespectful to be still asking him now.
Talk Sport is trash!
And Rice can’t remember singing come out you black and tans now
I’m all mixed up regarding the rules, does anyone actually know what they are?
You don’t hear them asking any of the English players why they are committed to England……..
A lit bit of English mischief to get some harmless revenge for the abuse Rice and Grealish got when they switched over.
@John Pembroke: deserved all the abuse they got, pair of shitehawks