Celtic’s international break nightmare gets even worse

This international break has been an absolute nightmare for Celtic and it just keeps getting worse with every passing day.

The constant flow of players testing positive or being affected by the pandemic during this international match period continues. Another positive test in the Irish squad now should have Celtic fans very concerned about Shane Duffy.

As reported by the Irish Mirror, the Football Association of Ireland have revealed that they tested the squad again overnight and now have a second player with a positive test. That player has not been named publicly much like yesterday, but with the recent run of bad luck for Celtic players there will be concern amongst Hoops fans about Shane Duffy.

With the critical Glasgow Derby at the weekend and a number of players already ruled out, the potential loss of Duffy would be significant. Especially alongside the possibility of Hatem Abd Elhamed also being unavailable, he is awaiting the outcome of a test too.

The second Irish player with the positive test is believed to be asymptomatic and is of course being retested today. The Irish squad, the player and now a load of Hoops fans are all waiting nervously for the results. They are expected later this evening.

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When the first player in the Irish squad tested positive before their match against Wales on Sunday, there was Celtic concern over whether Duffy might have been in close contact. Four players were deemed as close contacts, ruled out of the Wales match and made to isolate. The new positive test is not from one of those four players.

Even if the new positive test isn’t from Duffy, the point regarding being in close contact with whoever that player is remains. He could still be needed to isolate and be ruled out of games in the short term. Including that derby match.

It’s beginning to feel like a weird type of Russian roulette when clubs send players out to join their international squads with the virus implications. No wonder the club have been looking at action to recall the clubs players from international squads.