Former Portsmouth loanee Ross McCrorie has doubts over positive Covid test result during loan at Fratton Park from Rangers

Former Pompey midfielder Ross McCrorie has doubts regarding the legitimacy of the coronavirus positive test result he received during his time at Fratton Park.
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That’s after the Rangers ace – currently on loan at Aberdeen – tested positive for Covid-19 a second time last month.

McCrorie was one of five Pompey players forced to self-isolate back in March after contracting the virus.

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He joined James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Sean Raggett and Haji Mnoga in receiving the unwanted result – and admitted to The News in April that his diagnosis came as a ‘shock to the system’.

McCrorie got similar news last month after travelling with the Scotland under-21 squad for a Euro qualifier in Greece.

He captained the side in the 1-0 defeat in Athens, but got another positive test result when the squad returned home.

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That saw him force to isolate once again, with the 22-year-old missing three games as a result.

Former Pompey loanee Ross McCrorieFormer Pompey loanee Ross McCrorie
Former Pompey loanee Ross McCrorie

He’s since featured in the Dons’ past two games, but the former Blues loanee has reservations his test at PO4 nine months ago was 100-per-cent accurate.

Speaking to the Press & Journal, McCrorie said: ‘It (latest positive result) has been hugely frustrating, but it was just unfortunate.

‘There were a few people in the Scotland U21 squad who ended up getting it. It was just unfortunate what happened.

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‘Having to sit in my flat and self-isolate for two weeks was hugely frustrating, but obviously we’ve got to stick to the protocols and keep everyone safe.

‘It was a massive shock to me. I never really expected it as I’ve been following the protocols.

‘It can happen to anyone. You can get it from anywhere. Obviously I had it before, so it was quite a big shock.

‘I think your immunity runs out after a while. I had a positive test way back in March, but I’m not sure if that test was 100 per cent.

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‘Then again there were a few boys who had to at Pompey at the time. So I don’t know for sure.

‘I’m just glad to be back kicking a ball and hopefully I can get back to normal now.’

McCrorie made 23 appearances for Pompey during his season-long loan in 2019-20, with Blues boss Kenny Jackett keen to retain his services during the summer.

He's since become a key figure for Aberdeen during his latest move away from Ibrox, with Derek McInnes’ side currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

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The Scot will go head-to-head with former Blues team-mate Brandon Haunstrup when The Dons travel to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

And McCrorie insisted he’d rather concentrate on his playing form than his coronavirus troubles during 2020.

He added: ‘You can get it anywhere, a lot of teams have been affected so it was just unfortunate that people in the team got it.

‘Now I’m back, that’s in the past and I don’t want to focus on what’s happened. I am just happy to be back and want to build on getting playing again.

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‘We had a good start to the season so I just want to get back to the form we were in.’

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