Dundee United staff self-isolate after positive Covid tests

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon and his entire first-team coaching staff have been asked to self-isolate following a coronavirus outbreak at the club.

The Tannadice club said it had taken the “precautionary decision” due to a number of recent positive tests for Covid-19 among non-playing personnel.

Talks with the Scottish Football Association and NHS Tayside are scheduled to discuss the situation.

Academy coach Thomas Courts and other staff will take charge of training sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Dundee United are due to play Livingston away in the Premiership on Saturday, although it is unclear yet as to whether Courts will be required to take charge of the side for the clash in West Lothian.

Courts said: “It is an ongoing, developing situation, but from my perspective, on a personal level, just anything I can do to be of service to the players and represent the gaffer and the staff. That is my immediate focus just now.

“It has actually been relatively seamless because the way we work with the under-18s, we actually work to the same periodisation model.

“The way we design, deliver and execute training is actually very similar.

“So in terms of the way that I have been integrated, it has actually felt very seamless for me, hopefully it has been quite seamless for the players because ultimately it is their comfort levels that are the priority just now.

“Hopefully they are feeling content, they understand what is expected of them.”