Scottish football chiefs quiz Rangers on B-team tests prior to facing Dundee Utd

Scottish football’s Joint Response Group has written to Rangers seeking answers on whether a B squad beaten by Dundee United had been given the all-clear for Covid-19.

The club’s midweek friendly win over Motherwell at Ibrox on Wednesday was pushed back two hours to await the outcome of coronavirus test results for first-team players.

As part of the Return to Football strategy presented to the Scottish Government by the Joint Response Group (JRG) clubs are required to ensure all players are tested with a negative result in the seven days before every game.

Rangers have been asked whether their B-team were given the all-clear for Covid-19

And Hampden powerbrokers now want to know why test results for some Rangers and Motherwell players only arrived shortly before a kick-off pushed back from 6pm to 8pm. And whether test results for the Rangers fringe squad beaten 4-1 by Dundee United earlier the same day arrived at all.

Scottish clubs are using the same testing company recommended by the SFA, with all player swabs going to the same labs to be processed. One club told Sportsmail on Thursday night that they are powerless to control when the results come back.

Nevertheless, the Scottish government has given the go ahead for the new Premiership season to start next weekend.

And the SFA/SPFL joint response group has now been forced to remind clubs of their obligations amidst fears that permission to start the new season could be revoked.

Micky Mellon’s Dundee United side overcame a Rangers B-team on Wednesday this week

In a letter to clubs the JRG write: ‘Any failure to adhere to the agreed testing protocol will risk removal by the SG [Scottish government] of the approval for the dispensation given to Premiership clubs compared to the general public in Scotland.

‘Continued positive relations with SG are particularly important as the JRG [Joint Response group] works to progress plans with SG to permit spectators to attend matches.’

The JRG have also asked Hibernian to explain the circumstances of a similar coronavirus cock-up last weekend.

Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell was left ‘absolutely livid’ when several members of his squad were turned back at Perth after Hibs coronavirus results failed to arrive in time for kick-off.

The Edinburgh club apologised for the error, putting it down to the company used being forced to send samples to England for analysis earlier in the week.