Hearts player self-isolates as a precautionary measure

A Hearts player has begun a period of self-isolation. Picture: Mark Scates / SNS

There have not been any confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scottish football yet but last night it emerged that players from at least three SPFL clubs are in self-isolation after showing symptoms of the virus.

The Premiership’s bottom club Hearts – who were due to play Livingston tomorrow until the authorities suspended the weekend’s games – revealed that one of their players will stay away from the club next week.

The Tynecastle side did not reveal the identity of the player but a spokesperson said: “After developing a cough, a player followed the new UK Government guidelines and started a seven-day period of self-isolation as a precautionary measure.”

Inverness Caledonian Thistle, currently second in the Championship, are waiting on results of tests on one of their players – also unidentified – after he became unwell.

A statement from the Highlanders yesterday said: “The club can confirm that earlier this morning, one player reported that he had a number of similar symptoms to those of Covid 19.

“Following UK Government guidelines and advice, the player was instructed to self isolate and he accordingly did not report into Caledonian Stadium.

“This action is entirely precautionary, appropriate and proportionate and does not affect the rest of the first-team squad or the football department.”

Inverness added that, in regards to non-football activities being held at the Caledonian Stadium, it was “business as usual”.

The third club to report yesterday that one of their players is in self-isolation was Stenhousemuir. The League Two side said a member of their squad did not take part in a training session on Thursday because he felt unwell and, following advice from doctors, will now stay away from the club.

In England, there have been two positive tests for coronavirus reported so far – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea striker Callum Hudson-Odoi.