Tierney forced to self-isolate for 14 days after Scotland team-mate tests positive for coronavirus
Kieran Tierney has been forced to self-isolate for two weeks after coming in close contact with Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstrong testing positive for the coronavirus.
The Scottish FA announced that Armstrong had returned a positive Covid-19 result and would be self-isolating for ten days. As a result of coming in close contact with the Southampton midfielder, Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie of Celtic and two members of staff of the Scotland national team will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
This means Tierney will miss all three of his country’s upcoming fixtures against Israel, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as well as Arsenal’s game against Manchester City at the Etihad next Saturday.
The Gunners have issued a statement about the matter and said that while Armstrong tested positive for the coronavirus, all other members of the Scotland national team returned negative results. They said their medical team had confirmed that Tierney had remained socially distant at all times from Armstrong.
They said the Scottish fullback had not broken any rules regarding Covid-19 protocols and that they are currently seeking further advice and clarification of the details.
Tierney said he is frustrated and disappointed as he respected all the rules and remained socially distanced from all of his team-mates. He said he had tested negative for the coronavirus and knows that Arsenal and the Scottish FA are currently in discussions with Scottish authorities to get a better understanding of the situation.
Arsenal’s full statement:
The Scottish FA have today announced that Southampton player Stuart Armstrong has returned a positive test for COVID-19 while on international duty with the Scotland men’s national team.
Within the announcement, the SFA confirmed that all other members of the squad have returned negative results.
However, the Lothian Health Protection Team in Scotland have identified two players and two members of the backroom staff as ‘close contacts’. As a consequence, our defender Kieran Tierney and Celtic player Ryan Christie – along with one physiotherapist and one masseur – have been advised they will require to self-isolate for 14 days as of yesterday (Tuesday, October 8).
Our medical team have confirmed that Kieran was socially distant at all times from the player who tested positive and has broken no rules regarding COVID-19 protocols. We are currently seeking further advice and clarification of the details.
Kieran has also been in touch and has said: “I’m so disappointed and frustrated to be in this situation. I have adhered to all regulations and made sure I was socially distancing from my team mates in the hotel. I’ve also tested negative. I know Arsenal and the SFA are now in discussions with the Scottish authorities to gain a further understanding.”
