John Fleck tested positive for Covid-19 and was quarantined before Scotland flew from their training base in Spain last week; Steve Clarke said it was a "long shot" the Sheffield United midfielder would make Scotland's Euro 2020 opener against Czech Republic on Monday
Thursday 10 June 2021 17:41, UK
John Fleck has joined up with the Scotland squad, after his period of isolation following a positive Covid-19 test.
The Sheffield United midfielder tested positive at the start of the club's training camp in Spain, and missed the Euro 2020 warm-up matches against the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
The 29-year-old participated in Thursday morning's training session as he bids to force his way into Steve Clarke's plans ahead of Monday's Group D match against Czech Republic.
Clarke said last week that Fleck was a "long shot" to make Scotland's first group game following his spell of self-isolation.
Fleck was quarantined before the Scots flew from their training base in Spain to Portugal last week for the 2-2 friendly draw against the Netherlands.
David Marshall, Stephen O'Donnell, Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, John McGinn and Che Adams had been left behind in Spain as a precaution, but all returned and were involved to some extent in the final warm-up game, a 1-0 win over Luxembourg in the Stade Josy Barthel on Sunday.
Boss Clarke confirmed Fleck would come back into consideration upon returning to the squad but added he was unlikely to be in the mix for the opening game against the Czechs at Hampden Park on June 14, which comes before the trip to Wembley to play England and a final group game against Croatia in Glasgow.
"He is up for consideration for the tournament," Clarke said. "John will join us in the middle of the week.
"Because he is in his room isolating it would be a long shot that he is ready for the first game but he is certainly ready for the next two."
Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet also welcomed the return of Fleck to the group, as Scotland continue to follow strict coronavirus protocols.
Nisbet said on Thursday: "The camp's in a very good place now. We had two days back home, we came in and got tested right away and sent to our rooms. Thankfully everyone came back negative.
"With the magnitude of the tournament coming up, everyone wanted to be negative and not have that holding them back. We are delighted that everyone is negative and now we really start to go and put a marker on the tournament.
"It's great that Flecky is back. He obviously had a tough time testing positive and he has just been in his room ever since. So he got a wee round of applause this morning from the boys.
"He wanted to come in and start well and be in contention for a place and it was tough for him to test positive for Covid, but he's a strong character and he'll bounce back. He was good today in training."
Clarke was pleased with the warm-up double header which saw international debuts for Chelsea's 19-year-old midfielder Billy Gilmour, Celtic playmaker David Turnbull and Rangers' 19-year-old right-back Patterson, and which meant Scotland have lost only two matches in 16 as they prepare for their first major tournament in 23 years.
He said: "It has been a good camp training-wise. We have worked well and we managed to get the nuts and bolts of how we want to play our system across to the players.
"And now leading into the tournament, it is about fine-tuning toward certain opponents, which will require different personnel to cause them a problem.
"So lots to think about but that is the only way you want it as the head coach.
"Two defeats in 16 games, a freshness in the squad with the young boys who came in. They have done well, taken part in the group and training and have made contributions, they have their caps now.
"It puts a little bit of pressure on the senior ones, so things are looking good."
