Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes backs Dons Covid-19 testing after player given all-clear to return to training

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes reckons Aberdeen’s Covid-19 testing regime has worked on the back of a player being cleared to return to training.

The Dons announced last week that a player had tested positive for the virus, however then subsequently posted two negative test results.

He was tested again yesterday from his car at Cormack Park, with the third negative test result clearing him to return to training today.

McInnes believes it would have been more of a surprise had they not had at least one positive test during their testing programme, given the number they have conducted.

But he has confidence in the measures they have put in place and looks forward to welcoming the player back.

McInnes said: “The testing regime has been very thorough. We’ve had good feedback from the testing company, who’ve been getting round a few companies and a few clubs. We take confidence from the fact that we’re doing things right.

“Since we’ve come back, with ancillary staff, football staff and players, we’ve probably had more than 700 tests. It would probably be more of a surprise if we hadn’t had a positive test from that, if you look at the national average.

“The player tested positive and it was a shock. But it’s a reminder how quickly it can potentially derail things if you don’t do things right. But we’ve took confidence and strength from the fact we feel all the procedures and protocols we’ve set up at the training ground is working for us.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes with Scott McKenna at training

“He reported yesterday but didn’t get out of his car and got tested again. With the third negative test, as we’d hoped, he’s able to come back into training from today onwards.

“He will be able to work on his own or a member of staff for a period of five or six days, then rejoin the group again the following Tuesday. The player was showing no signs, he was training as normal. He was very diligent and taken the seriousness of it.”

There have been no other reported positive tests in Scottish football, with the new season due to start on August 1 when the Dons welcome Rangers to an empty Pittodrie.

McInnes added: “It’s a wee reminder and while it’s not ideal, at the same time you speak to the medical people and testing companies and they say ‘this is why we’re doing it’.

“The players are three to a changing room at the training ground at the minute, they report at different times and the only time they’re in contact is on the training pitch. Even then, it’s in and out of contact.”