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Celtic & Coronavirus and competitions!

Discussion in 'Celtic Chat' started by LectersLuncheon, Mar 2, 2020.

Discuss Celtic & Coronavirus and competitions! in the Celtic Chat area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. McChiellini..

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    Season starting beginning of August..
     
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  2. StevieBhoooy!

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    if we win 2 Scottish cups in the same season .... can we do a ‘quadruple’ ?


    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52843448



    The new Scottish Premiership season will start behind closed doors on the weekend of 1 August if Scotland is in phase two of its route map out of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Sports minister Joe Fitzpatrick met the heads of the major sporting bodies on Friday to discuss restart plans.

    The Scottish FA will lift football's suspension for top-flight clubs on 11 June, allowing them to resume training.

    Talks will continue regarding how lower league football will restart.

    Playing non-contact outdoor sports was allowed to return in Scotland on Friday.

    The situation is assessed at least every three weeks - the next review is scheduled for 18 June - with further phases implemented if enough progress is made on keeping the virus under control.

    Professional sport is in phase two; a "restricted number" of spectators are allowed in stage three - potentially mid-July; with crowd restrictions eased further in stage four.

    'Closed doors probably reasonable' - analysis
    Policy advisor Dr Andrew Murray speaking to BBC Scotland

    I don't imagine we'll see full stadiums as of August, but what you might see is closed-doors games with crowds introduced when the risk assessments indicate that it's safe to do so.

    It is probably reasonable to get back towards behind closed-doors sport in the not too distant future and, beyond then, if you can put enhanced standards of hygiene in and socially distance people appropriately, that may well be supportable.

    Scottish football and rugby have responsible organisations. They'll not just rush back from a financial perspective.
     
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  3. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

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    FOLLOWING yesterday's meeting involving Scottish Government and footballing authorities and subsequent announcement by Scottish football's joint response group, Celtic Football Club welcomes the proposed timetable set out in order to resume first team training and matches.

    We have been given a targeted return date for player training of June 11, 2020 with Scottish Premiersip matches hoped to commence on August 1, 2020.

    Celtic has been working tirelessly to do all we can to assist in achieving a return to football and we would hope the SPFL are in a position as soon as possible, to issue the fixture calendar for the forthcoming season.

    Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell, who contributed to yesterday's meeting, said: "Everyone at Celtic warmly welcomes the decision in principle to a phased return to training and matches, while fully accepting that all decisions made in this regard must continue to have the safety and well- being of all concerned at their core.

    "The past few months have been extremely difficult for supporters, players, staff and clubs right across the game. While we accept there will be no immediate return to normality, we are moving in the right direction and we thank our fans for their patience, understanding and support during these unprecedented times.

    "I would like to also thank all our medical, safety and operations staff at Celtic and those across football for the extensive work they have done in striving for a safe return for us all. Celtic has, for some time, been engaging with relevant experts in this field - knowledge and guidance which we have shared with the joint response group, other Scottish clubs and the Scottish Government in order to support a safe, effective and quick return to football.

    "Clearly, the important work we have done will be crucial as we move forward. We need to get back to football,safely, as soon as possible. That is our message and that is our aim.

    "Our supporters are everything to us and our focus, ultimately, will be to do all we can to bring our fans back to matches as soon as we can. Our promise is to work as hard as we can to get our fans back to Celtic Park, to liaise closely with Government and the footballing authorities to find solutions and return to normal as soon as possible.

    "The majority of leagues across Europe are back training, some already playing and many already with agreements in place to bring supporters back to matches. We can assure our fans that this will also be Celtic’s priority.

    "In the meantime, we thank our fans sincerely for their continued engagement with and support of the Club. While we are still celebrating our title win, hopefully we can now look forward to the return of our fantastic 9 in a row team in the near future and look ahead to more success on the field.”

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon said: "While the crisis we have all faced has put life and football on hold, our work behind the scenes, to do all we can to return to training and, of course, matches, as soon as possible, has continued throughout. This is what we all want, but we need to do it safely.

    "The health and well-being of our supporters, players and staff will always be our priority and while nothing should ever compromise this, we will do all we can to get football back and reunite with our fans as soon as possible.

    "Our work off the pitch never stops and since the suspension of football was announced, we have been ensuring that our players have all they need across all areas in terms of their physical condition and all other elements of their welfare. We never stand still so we are ready to go as soon as we get the green light.

    "We have been putting programmes in place for a return to some form of training, looking at our plans and objectives for next season and, as always, have continued to look at identifying new player targets and ways we can develop our squad.

    "Clearly, we continue to face a difficult and serious situation, but our fans can rest assured that we are doing all we can within the guidelines laid down to get back to doing what we do best, as soon as possible.

    "I would like to thank our fans for staying with us. Hopefully you are still enjoying the celebrations from our ninth title in a row. Like you, we want to get back to business as soon as we can.”
     
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  4. Blochairnbhoy

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    Celtic have bought 2 x £35,000 covid 19 testing machines and Ross county have bought one.

    one premiership club has said they will need to use a NHS facility to do their testing as they can’t afford it!
     
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  5. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

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    Skint clubs could scupper plans for a Scottish top-flight kick-off on August 1 because they can’t afford Covid-19 tests.

    The Scottish Government has given the green light for a potential football restart in 62 days’ time.


    The SPFL will outline plans at a meeting of the Premiership outfits on Monday.

    But MailSport believes the cost of medical testing for coronavirus – estimated at £4500 per week – will be a major stumbling block.



    Celtic and Ross County have forked out for £35,000 testing machines ahead of the new season, which would start behind closed doors.

    But other clubs have concerns over the costs and may seek financial aid from the SFA and SPFL to get season 2020/21 up and running.


    Also, as the Scottish Government’s clinical director Jason Leitch cast fresh doubt over the August 1 target, clubs may be reluctant to bring furloughed players back on their payroll without guarantees of a restart.



    A senior figure at one Premiership club revealed if the authorities can’t pay for players’ tests they may need to get them done at NHS centres.

    The source, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We couldn’t afford to pay for testing and are not alone. A raft of top-flight clubs couldn’t embark on the testing programme that government legislation may require.

    “All it would take is for two clubs to admit they can’t afford it and the restart would be pushed back by months.

    “A conservative estimate is it will cost around £4500 a week to get players, coaches and staff tested.

    “Asking a club like ours to finance that is a non-starter until we get fans back through the doors.

    We must get creative and that might involve trying to get players tested at NHS centres – but would it be ethical?

    “I don’t want to kill the optimism of an August 1 restart but we must confront reality – clubs won’t have the money.”


    Kilmarnock chairman Billy Bowie also doubts if the Rugby Park club could afford to test players and staff two or three times a week at around £50 per head each time.

    He said: “If it comes to that, there’s no way we could afford up to £6000 per week.

    “We don’t know the timescale either. If it went on for a year, that would be over £300,000.

    “It’s a big ask to expect any club to pay that in the current climate.





    “If the SPFL tells us we have to, to ensure the season starts, people would be asking for help.”

    Champions Celtic and Ross County have already forked out for testing machines.

    The Parkhead club have paid £70,000 for two as they look to get players training from June 11.

    Staggies chairman Roy MacGregor says he’s ready to share his device without profit with sports clubs in the Highlands.

    But he accepts that if certain clubs can’t afford it they will need help from the SFA or SPFL.

    He told us: “We had to buy a testing machine because of our location.

    “We could share it with the likes of Elgin City or other part-time clubs who are serious about testing their players.

    “The result takes 20 minutes and you can do 15 tests in an hour.

    “The cost for us, for 30 players and staff at £50 per head, two or three times a week, could be around £3000 per week on top of the cost of the machine.

    “We felt we had to do it. But there’s no doubt that testing is the biggest challenge now for clubs.

    “I can understand clubs who say they can’t afford it with no gate receipts.


    And somewhere down the line, help needs to come from the centre.

    “If two clubs can’t afford it, you can’t play the Premiership. So a solution must be found to get the league going.

    “And if one player at a club contracts the virus, we might not be able to fulfil fixtures – so we have to work together to find a solution.”

    SPFL chiefs will brief clubs on Monday on the government guidelines.

    Dundee United’s sporting director Tony Asghar said: “The virus has made everything uncertain. But we’re ready to look at the options and react.”

    But Professor Leitch told the BBC on Saturday that fans shouldn’t get too excited just yet.

    He said: “I’m not sure people should write August 1 on their calendars just yet.


    That’s what we’ve told the sporting bodies. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for it, of course we should.

    “But planning is one thing, the go-ahead is an entirely different thing.”
     
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  6. Dan Breen

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    I suspect that any club planning to play European games will have to have a test kit/procedure in place.
     
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  7. Westlondonscot Gold Member Gold Member

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    4500 a week may sound a lot but all SPL clubs could find it. Use youngsters and smaller squads. If any club refuses to pay it then a transfer ban should be put in place and they can only sign players with no contract, and if the SPFL pays for it the club must confirm the money was used for that or have points deducted.
    Football is not essential so should not be doing hundreds of tests on the NHS.
     
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  8. Blochairnbhoy

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    "However, while Celtic have signed a lucrative new deal with Adidas, Rangers will be having their kits manufactured by new boys Castore, which means that – unlike Celtic - they won’t receive a large advance from them.

    “Add to that the fact that Rangers have no cash reserves while Celtic have £35m in the bank and that Rangers have no credit facilities with any bank and it’s an unhealthy place for them to be in at this particular point in time.

    "They have no cash or access to cash and the only way out of that I can see is for their directors to issue even more loans and eventually convert them in to equity, which has the effect of further devaluing the worth of the club’s shares.”

    “Celtic fans regularly criticise major shareholder Dermot Desmond but they should be careful what they wish for. There’s never been a better time for any club to have a genuine billionaire on hand.”

    as I said before lurkers you are *!
     
  9. MickeyyMack CELTIC GLASGOW OK Gold Member

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    SCOTTISH Premiership clubs have been given the green light to return to training from next week.

    And with the new season expected to start on August 1, top flight teams are beginning preperations for the return of their staff and players.

    But reports this morning have suggested that just Celtic and Ross County have splashed out on coronavirus testing equipment.

    The Daily Record say teams in Scotland's top division will have to spend at least £5,000-a-week just to enable their players to get back to training this month.


    On top of that, testing machines are believed to be valued at aroud £35,000.

    The other ten clubs in the Premiership are now being urged to take action ahead of a return to training.

    SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and Hampden medic Dr John MacLean have been offering advice ahead of the proposed start-up next Thursday.

    It is understood clubs have been given a number of options to access crucial testing machines - and keep the cost of returning to action to a minimum.
     
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  10. Henrik 07 Gold Member Gold Member

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    Scotland's top flight clubs have been warned to forget about bringing their players out of lockdown next week unless they have extensive COVID-19 testing procedures in place.



    The SPFL’s Premiership has been given the government green light to re-start training from next Thursday but so far only Celtic and Ross County have splashed out on their own testing equipment.



    The top 12 held crunch talks with the SFA to discuss emergency plans to roll out testing for all players and coaching staff.

    Record Sport understands the talks - hosted by chief executive Ian Maxwell and Hampden medic Dr John MacLean - took place amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic may keep the country’s top division in lockdown beyond the proposed starting date of August 1.

    But the top 12 are still facing bills of up to £5,000-a-week just to enable their players to get back to training this month.

    Medical teams from across the country - along with some top flight managers - were involved in the conference call as they seek to establish a safe way for the game to get back up and running.

    The Scottish government has given the green light for Premiership ;players to return to limited training from next Thursday but on the strict condition that appropriate testing procedures are put in place at each club.

    So far, of the top 12, only Celtic and Ross County have stumped up cash to buy their own testing machines which are believed to cost in the region of £35k.

    The other ten clubs have now be told to take urgent action before re-opening their training bases.



    And they were given three options by Maxwell who has been locked in discussions with one leading medical firm who have offered to supply clubs with the expertise and equipment they need to get their players and coaching staff safely back to work.

    A source told us: “The first option is to go down the same road as England’s Premier League clubs. That’s the most costly option and it involves the company taking swabs at training grounds and then coming back with results in 24-36 hours.


    “Option two would see clubs take their own swabs and then send them off to the labs for results.

    “And the third option is for a number of clubs from the same area to club together to buy the testing machines and share them. It would cost £25k for the machine but they can share that burden and then reduce the cost of each individual test to £50

    Given the companies all over the country will soon be requiring to use this sort of testing there could even be a commercial opportunity for any clubs who have bought their own testing machines.

    “But that’s something they can explore at a later date. For now, it’s simply about finding a way for testing to be rolled out across the top flight in order to work towards the proposed start date of August 1.

    “So there’s not a lot of time for each club to decide how it plans to proceed. Training might be scheduled to return next week but it just can;t happen unless a rigorous, extensive testing process has been established and put in place.”
     
  11. Westlondonscot Gold Member Gold Member

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    Still only 2 clubs bought £35k machines? Yet one of them can * £3m on a player
     
  12. Blochairnbhoy

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    Aye well that’s the question how can you defer upwards of £6m in wages and buy a £3m but then you find out they are paying Genk £86,000 per month for 3 years!
     
  13. Whoflungdung

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    No machines then no football...............
     
  14. StevieBhoooy!

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    Same one that hasn’t published any accounts...

    Celtic should let St Mirren and Motherwell use their testing equipment. :87:
     
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  15. NomDePlum

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    Better than letting teams rely on an under pressure NHS.

    I assume you are suggesting those as nearby. In which case Hamilton might have a case too. Is there any other team nearby that would need such a helping hand as too small a club to afford?
     
  16. StevieBhoooy!

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    Partick Thistle...
     
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  17. Foley1888

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    As part of not been bullied into silence, do you think they will refuse to buy or pay to access one .:bash:

    Being honest I don't get why we don't just have a 14 team SPL next season. It would address all those clubs who have actually been impacted by the crisis (Hearts, ICT, Partick, Falkirk, Stranraer, Kelty, Edinburgh City and Brora) as they would all remain or get promotion. Play everyone twice and then top 7 and bottom 7 play each other home and away. To me its actually fairer than current 12 team model but no doubt the other SPL clubs won't back themselves to make top 7 so will miss out on another home game with Celtic or them.
     
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  18. Lion1961 Bookmaker

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    Please stop referring to Huns in a Celtic Chat thread.
     
  19. StevieBhoooy!

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    if there were 14 team divisions... the split would be 6/8 so that you didn’t have teams ‘sitting out’ match days .... it would require 1 or 2 extra fixture dates if they went 7/7

    although... the bottom 8 ( presumably) round need 2 extra rounds anyway since they’d have 7 post-split games rather than 5

    .... so 14 is a bit of a bodge whichever way it sits..
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2020
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  20. Westlondonscot Gold Member Gold Member

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    6 of the league 1/2 teams have already said they are against it (you need 15 of 20) so it isn't just the SPL teams. The proposal isn't popular at all with teams across the board. The split doesn't really work as @StevieBhoooy! Points out you need extra match days whether you go with a 6/8 split or a 7/7. Where do you fit them in?
     
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