Celtic pre-season thrown into chaos as plan for fan return ‘test event' appears dead in the water

It's understood the Hoops will not be able to play a friendly on Saturday.

Celtic's final pre-season preparations have been thrown into chaos after the Irish government placed a travel ban on Scotland.

Neil Lennon’s side had been expected to host Irish top flight champs Dundalk at Parkhead on Saturday - in a friendly match which chief executive Peter Lawwell had hoped could be used as a trial event for the safe return of a limited number of socially distanced supporters.

But, although contracts were signed off between both clubs, Dundalk pulled out at the 11th hour amid fears their players would face a two week Covid-19 quarantine on their return to the Republic of Ireland.

That left Celtic scrambling to find a last minute replacement and by breakfast time yesterday it seemed that Derry City - based north of the border - would be willing and able to step in.

But by lunchtime that emergency plan was placed in doubt when Ireland declared that no parts of the UK have made it onto their green travel list.

And Derry then received a warning from the FAI that, by accepting a glamour friendly in Glasgow, their players and coaching staff would be unable to compete in a top flight clash against St Pats in Dublin on August 3.

And it now looks increasingly likely that Celtic will be forced to scrub all plans for a final friendly match on home soil after three pre-season matches during their tour of France.

The dramatic twists also look to have killed stone dead any hope of reopening the turnstiles this weekend but Record Sport understands, although permission had been sought to stage a ‘test event’ on Saturday, the club are still awaiting a government response.

Lennon’s players will now take part in a behind closed doors bounce game against Motherwell which had already been scheduled to take place on Sunday, and are trying to arrange another top flight opponents for one final warm-up game next week ahead of the Premiership’s big kick-off against Hamilton on August 2.