Neil Lennon, John Kennedy and 13 Celtic players having to isolate followed Celtic and Christopher Jullien's Covid test bombshell had a big impact on last night’s SPFL Premiership preparations – a game that was only moved to allow the Hoops to travel on their controversial trip to Dubai.
In the end Hibs drew 1-1 – but there was further to the story with Shane Duffy called in to alleviate Celtic’s selection crisis – despite being ruled OUT by assistant John Kennedy for leaving the training camp bubble to travel home early and independently.
And not only that. The Scottish FA’s shutdown of all lower league football outwith the top two leagues in Scotland also rocked the game – and the fall-out continues this morning.
With all that, you’d easy forget this is January and transfer speculation season.
So while football is dominating both the front and back pages, there are plenty of storylines to follow and plenty included in the Scottish Premiership Rumour Mill of Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
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. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 20: The match balls ahead of the UEFA Women’s European Qualifier between Scotland and Italy at Ainslie Park on October 20, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Bill Murray / SNS Group / SFA)
Rumour Mill, January 12, 2021 (Photo by Bill Murray / SNS Group / SFA) Photo: Bill Murray - SNS Group

. Covid protocols probe
SFA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell says the governing body won't look into Celtic's trip to Dubai itself - but could probe potential protocol breaches while on their training camp (The Scotsman) Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group

. Political appeasement
Stranraer manager Stevie Farrell has accused the Scottish football authorities of offering the lower league shutdown as 'political appeasement' (Daily Record) Photo: Michael Gillen

5. Hit the road Jack
A move to Hibs would be a good one for Jackson Irvine, says his international manager Graham Arnold (The World Game) Photo: SNS Group Craig Foy

6. The Wright move?
Aberdeen contract rebel Scott Wright is said to be of interest to Rangers. Last week Derek McInnes said he believed the winger to be England-bound (Sky Sports) Photo: SNS Group

7. Fashion faux pas?
Oostende's Fashion Junior Sakala says he would prefer a move to La Liga or the English Premier League once his Belgian contract ends - a blow to Steven Gerrard's alleged interest (Daily Record) Photo: (LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ/AFP via Getty Images)

8. Return visit?
Aberdeen loan striker Ryan Edmondson could head back out on a temporary deal from Leeds United, with Bradford City and the Dons linked plus two other Scottish clubs keen (Yorkshire Evening Post) Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group