Hibs game to go ahead as St Mirren confirm positive coronavirus test for player

Individual in question will miss at least two matches

St Mirren's match with Hibs looks like getting the green light despite a Buddies player testing positive for coronavirus

Hibs’ trip to face St Mirren on Saturday is set to proceed as planned despite a Buddies player testing positive for coronavirus.

Reports on Thursday suggested the Scottish Premiership fixture at the Simple Digital Arena on September 12 could be in doubt, particularly given strict local restrictions in Paisley.

However, a spokesperson for St Mirren has all but confirmed that the match will go ahead.

A statement issued on behalf of the club read: “Following our recent round of testing, St Mirren Football Club can confirm that a member of the first-team has tested positive for Covid-19.

“The player is currently self-isolating in line with government guidance and, as a result, will be unavailable for our match against Hibernian.

“The club has complied robustly with the official testing and hygiene regime, using a private testing facility in accordance with the Scottish Government and the SPFL/SFA Joint Response Group protocols.

“Everyone at the club wishes the player a speedy recovery and looks forward to welcoming him back once he is fit and ready.”

Seven St Mirren employees tested positive for Covid-19 in July, but six were later found to be false-positives.

Last month, Easter Road midfielder Alex Gogic was forced to sit out the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen and missed out on the chance of an international debut with Cyprus after he was advised by the Scottish FA and Scottish Government to self-isolate for a period of ten days following a test that “required further investigation”.

Subsequent tests returned negative results but the 26-year-old was still prevented from playing.

Meanwhile, Hamilton have confirmed that defender Lee Hodson is also self-isolating.

A club statement said: “The club can confirm that our player Lee Hodson has had to comply with Scottish Government guidelines to self-isolate for 14 days from September 8.

“This is a result of being in close contact with a player from another club who has tested positive for Covid-19 this week.

"We can confirm our player tested negative on Monday, however, since there has been close contact he is required to self-isolate.

"We would like to make it clear that Lee has followed the appropriate measures and medical advice.

“We send our good wishes to the other player involved for a speedy recovery.