Celtic v Hibs clash in doubt after players voice concerns about playing game

Celtic's Scottish Premiership clash with Hibs remains in doubt after it emerged some Easter Road players “have reservations” about taking part in the game.

Some Hibs players are understood to have voiced concerns over the game going ahead but it is unclear if any are refusing to play

The hosts are without 13 first-team players and three staff members who have been ordered to self-isolate following the club’s return from a controversial mid-season trip to Dubai which led to defender Christopher Jullien returning a positive test for Covid-19.

Manager Neil Lennon and assistant John Kennedy are among those who will miss tonight’s match at Celtic Park.

It is understood that a request made by Hibs for the Celtic players to be tested again has been knocked back by both the club and the SPFL.

While it is unclear at this stage if the match will go ahead, Sky Sports is reporting that Easter Road chiefs have consulted with their players and some are said to “have reservations about participating, but it is unclear if any have chosen not to play”.

The disruption comes in the wake of the Glasgow club receiving widespread criticism from their own supporters for making the trip in the aftermath of the Old Firm defeat to Rangers at Ibrox on January 2, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has questioned how essential the trip was.

There is also uncertainty regarding the outcome of the game in the event of either team forfeiting. Kilmarnock and St Mirren were penalised earlier in the season for failing to fulfil fixtures but had their 3-0 defeats overturned pending the outcome of an appeal due to be heard on Thursday.

As things stand the match will proceed as planned at 7.45pm, but that could all change depending on Hibs’ stance.

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