Celtic poolside Dubai snaps discussed by SPFL and SFA as football authorities admit ‘surprise’ at Government probe request

Article from the Daily Record

The Government asked the SFA to "look into" the winter training camp but those on Hampden's sixth floor were taken aback by the request.

Celtic were locked in an astonishing war of words with the Scottish Government on Monday night over their trip to Dubai.

The Parkhead club responded swiftly after Nicola Sturgeon called on the SFA to launch a probe into the warm weather training camp and dished out a threat to put all of Scottish football back into international lockdown.

But the champions released a stinging statement in which they claimed the club received official permission from Holyrood weeks before Neil Lennon and his players were packed off onto the plane following Saturday’s Old Firm derby defeat.

And that was backed up by Hampden sources who claim Parkhead officials had been liaising with the politicians as recently as the weekend as they prepared to head for the sun.