John Barnes believes Celtic's stars were entitled to enjoy a beer by the pool in Dubai before they kicked-off their tough winter training camp - but admits the trip was always destined to be a PR nightmare.

The former Hoops boss understands Celtic fans' frustrations at watching their players sipping pints before they began their work because results have not warranted any relaxation or down-time.

The champions jetted out to Dubai the same day as they lost 1-0 in the second Old Firm derby of the season and were pictured lapping up the sunshine after they touched down in UAE. Sitting a staggering 21 points behind Rangers at the top of the table, fans have been outraged at the club and their decision to fly across the world in the middle of both a pandemic and a horror season.

But while Barnes reckons the players and staff were allowed to have a beer or two before the hard work started, he knows that the visuals understandably did not sit right with anyone associated with the club back home.

“[Celtic’s trip to Dubai] is a PR disaster because of the way it’s been reported," Barnes said. "They’re saying they had clearance to go, but when you’re 21 points behind Rangers, you’re going to get criticised for everything you do.  

"Now, obviously the optics of it – when you’re talking about sitting by the pool and drinking beer – [Scott Brown] was there to train. Of course, when you’re having a rest, you’re allowed to drink beer. He could sit outside a pub drinking beer on a Wednesday afternoon in Glasgow. But they are doing what they are allowed to do.  

"Unfortunately for Celtic, anything they do, people will blame that for them not winning matches or being behind Rangers. But that’s not the reason why.  

"People are at home and can’t go on holiday, but they weren’t on holiday – they were there to train. If no rules were broken, then they were allowed to be there. 

"Someone has got coronavirus, but people who stayed in Scotland and didn’t go all the way to Dubai can also get it. If one person got it in Dubai or five people got it in Scotland, what’s the difference? The question is whether they were actually doing something wrong from the protocol point of view."

Christopher Jullien was struck down with the virus and 13 players - as well as manager Neil Lennon and John Kennedy - were all forced to self-isolate, missing the Hibs clash which ended 1-1 the following week.

Now fans have unveiled a banner outside Parkhead demanding chief Peter Lawwell either resigns or is fired for his 'parody-like' apology over the debacle.

John Barnes was speaking to BonusCodeBets