11 Scottish under-21 players forced into isolation due to Covid-19 outbreak

Three members of the Scotland under-21s have tested positive for Covid-19 while a further eight have been forced into isolation as a result.
Robby McCrorie is the only player confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: SNSRobby McCrorie is the only player confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: SNS
Robby McCrorie is the only player confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19. Picture: SNS

The identities of those who have been affected are not yet known with the exception of Livingston goalkeeper Robby McCrorie, but it is sure to play havoc with managerial plans across the Scottish Premiership this weekend.

An unnamed Aberdeen player is said to be another who has caught the virus while on international duty with Scot Gemmill’s side.

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The Dons had Robby’s brother Ross, Lewis Ferguson and Connor McLennan away with the squad. They travel to Rangers this weekend who had four players in youngsters Brian Kinnear, Nathan Patterson, Lewis Mayo and Glenn Middleton. The latter two are on loan at Dunfermline and Bradford, respectively.

Champions Celtic had David Turnbull and Stephen Welsh in Gemmill’s unit, while this weekend’s opponents Hibs had defender Ryan Porteous representing his country.

Motherwell, meanwhile, will have been hoping neither Allan Campbell nor Barry Maguire were impacted, while Ross County would’ve been thinking the same of goalkeeper Ross Doohan.

Two members of the under-21 staff have also been forced into isolation after having close contact with the affected players.

An SFA statement read: "Following the return of the Scotland Under 21s squad on Wednesday, the Scottish FA has been informed that three players have since tested positive for COVID-19 during their routine pre-match testing at their respective clubs.

"A meeting involving the Scottish Government’s COVID experts took place this morning and after reviewing all relevant information from the Under-21 Team Manager and COVID officer, they identified a further eight players and two staff members considered to be close contacts.

"As a result, the three positive cases will require to self-isolate for 10 days from November 20, and the 10 close contacts to self-isolate for 14 days from November 20.

"The close contacts were established using aircraft and bus manifests, in adherence to government protocols that consider close contacts to be two rows either side of a positive case.

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"We have informed all clubs affected by the positive cases or close contacts in advance of matches taking place this weekend."

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