Celtic duo Kristoffer Ajer and Mohamed Elyounoussi are having to quarantine back in Scotland after arriving back from Norway duty, VG reports.
The Norwegian outlet states that the Celtic pair arrived at the airport this afternoon to head back to Glasgow. VG also states that the players have been told not to talk to the press about the events of the past week.
Norway’s friendly match against Israel was cancelled after government intervention, whilst the squad then wasn’t allowed to travel to Romania for their Nations League match due to a positive test in the camp.
It had been reported that the players were being ordered to stay in the country. However, instead, the squad appears to have split up, with VG reporting that the Celtic players will now be quarantined back home instead.
Their availability against Hibs is also now in question given what’s happened over the last week.
Will the Scottish Government intervene?
It’s interesting that the full national team of Norway has to go into lockdown after one of their players tested positive. This is one of the key problems with cross-border rules and international football being played.
It’s interesting that the Norwegian side wasn’t allowed to travel to Romania, but was allowed to fly back to their respective clubs’ countries. It doesn’t appear to make a lot of sense, but from Celtic’s perspective, it’s a relief that they won’t be at further risk.
Norway were due to face Austria in another Nations League encounter later this week. However, VG spoke to Norwegian infection control doctor Frode Hagen, who said the following on the matter:
“The chief infection control officer has considered a specific application for a return trip for players in quarantine, based on an individual assessment of each individual player from the national team doctor in NFF (Norwegian Football Federation). This application was granted in accordance with the exemption provision in the covid-19 regulations.
“The condition for being able to travel home to be in quarantine is that they are symptom-free, that they wear face masks on public transport and go straight to quarantine when they get home.”
VG also reports that the rest of the players, including Ajer and Elyounoussi, have tested negative several times over the past week. It remains to be seen what happens with their two scheduled Nations League games this week, as well as whether they can play next weekend at Easter Road.
In other news, the Celtic fans have been wowed by the potential of one star on international duty this week.
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