The Plane to Spain Derails Celtic’s Season
The Full Scottish with Brian P. Dunleavy –
Showing more endeavor than he has ever done on the field of play, Celtic’s Belgian left back Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo flew to Spain for a 24-hour trip in the days after his side’s season-opening win over Hamilton.
In so doing, he left his club, and the entirety of Scottish football, up in the air.
The SPFL postponed Celtic’s scheduled Wednesday match at St. Mirren and Saturday’s home fixture against Aberdeen as a result of the Spanish sojourn, which was reportedly made without the club’s permission—or knowledge.
That’s because Bolingoli made his personal 2020-21 season debut—and likely denouement—a few days later as a second-half substitute at Kilmarnock, potentially exposing his teammates, coaches and opponents to COVID-19 as he failed to self-quarantine following his return.
That he was allegedly in Spain to visit with a club interested in signing him only adds insult to injury.
As of this writing, none of the Celtic players, nor anyone affiliated with Killie, have tested positive for the virus. Hopefully, that will continue to be the case.
However, Bolingoli’s transgression, whether it results in virus transmission or not, has done untold damage to the standing of the Scottish game in general, and Celtic in particular. The Scottish government reluctantly allowed the Premiership to start its new season this month. After eight Aberdeen players—including former Celt Jonny Hayes (old enough to know better) and reported Hoops target Scott McKenna (so much for that)—visited a pub in the aftermath of their loss to Rangers on opening day, as we chronicled last week, and two of them later tested positive for COVID-19, the sport was on thin ice.
Now, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has shown the Prem and its member clubs a “yellow card,” and may be soon reaching in her pocket for a red and call a halt to the season.
As if the optics of Bolingoli’s trip could be any worse, Celtic officials allegedly learned of it only moments before a scheduled conference call with Premiership club managers and captains to discuss safety in the aftermath of the Aberdeen incident.
Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon and skipper Scott Brown were reportedly left to apologize to their counterparts for the left back’s behavior.
Footballing matters play second fiddle to health and safety in all of this, of course. But the effects of Bolingoli’s shocking decision could have long-term implications for his club as well. As Celtic seek to become the first Scottish side to win the top flight in 10 consecutive campaigns, the match postponements could see them fall eight points behind their closest rivals, Rangers, with the matches likely to be made up some time in 2021.
And, the Hoops, as of this writing, are scheduled to host KR Reykjavik Tuesday in Champions’ League qualifying, but the Scottish government could seek to have that match played in Iceland instead, as holding it in Glasgow would require an official waiver, due to quarantine protocols.
With fewer competitive matches to prepare for that all-important tie, and untold distractions caused by Bolingoli’s travels, a loss would only add to Celtic’s troubles.
Just as one of their players mystifyingly chooses now to add to his frequent-flyer miles.