Celts Patient Pittodrie Performance

SPFL

Saturday 17th December 2022

ABERDEEN 0-1 CELTIC
Scorer: McGregor (87)

Pittodrie, Aberdeen.



Such a dominant performance by Celtic on the visit to Aberdeen where the scoreline goes completely against the narrative. An impressive 33 shots on goal but it took a brilliant strike from McGregor in the dying minutes to gain three points and remain 9 points ahead of our rivals in the league.

Captain Calum McGregor returned to action after an absence from knee injury since early October and he put in a Man Of The Match performance. His goal on 87 minutes put the icing on the cake. Also returning from World Cup duty were Carter Vickers and Maeda, both in the starting lineup and there was a place on the bench for Aussie, Aaron Mooy.

Dons manager, Jim Goodwin, turned the clock back 10 years with his setup and tactics. Five in defence and three in midfield meant that Aberdeen always had at least 9 players behind the ball. It was definitely frustrating for Celtic but come on, you are at home, show some desire to win the game. Two efforts of their own and both well off target. You put nothing in, you deserve nothing out.



The first half was just wave after wave of attacks by the Bhoys and plenty of patient possession. With the Sheep sitting so deep it did leave Celtic to shoot on sight at times and the first real effort came from Jota on the edge of the box but Kelle Roos was alert enough to dive to the left to parry the effort wide. Twenty minutes in and the big keeper was called upon again when Hatate struck a low effort that Roos managed to get down to make a one handed stop on the line.



Aberdeen made it to half time without conceding but Big Ange was happy with his team's performance and decided to throw on Abada for the second half in place of Daizen Maeda. It was probably more to do with resting the Japanese striker than a change in tactics. The Celtic defence could have returned to the field with deck chairs and cigars, such was their lack of involvement in the game.

On 53 minutes Ralston made a brilliant pass forward into the box that picked out Abada, he saw Kyogo at the back post and made a precision pass. Kyogo made contact with his shin but put it inches wide of the post when it was so much easier to score. This should have been the opening goal. A couple of minutes later Abada saw his effort blocked by the outstretched leg of Dons keeper, Roos.



There were further efforts when Jota blazed over the bar, Abada put it across the face of goal but it evaded Kyogo and Jota by inches and then Ralston put a great cross in only for Kyogo to volley wide. Celtic were asking all the questions and it was only a matter of time for the breakthrough. All the while the Celtic faithful in the stands belted out a whole repertoire of Celtic Christmas songs and they were obviously glad to be back at the football.

With around 20 minutes to go Ange made a triple substitution. On came Turnbull, Forrest and Giakoumakis for Hatate, Jota and Kyogo. The changes definitely refreshed the game and put an impetus on getting a goal. Turnbull first had a soft effort and then Giakoumakis headed well over.

With the seconds ticking away on the clock and the game at stalemate it was going to take something special to make the breakthrough and it arrived. Carter Vickers, on the edge of the box and centre, passed to his left to James Forrest. The tricky winger made towards goal but rolled the ball behind him where McGregor ran onto the ball to strike it into the lower far corner of the net to make it 0-1. The fans were absolutely delirious but they knew it was coming all along.



McGregors goal was the 33rd shot of the game. That man Forrest who assisted the goal has further cemented his name in Legendary status as he became only the third player to contribute over 100 goals and assists playing for Celtic. James Forrest now stands proudly in that category with Jimmy Johnstone and Henrik Larsson. Not too shabby at all.

Next up on Wednesday evening is another league game at Celtic Park and the opponents are Livingston. It would be very nice heading into the Huns game being 9 points clear and listening to our 708 fans Living it Up at their * pit and out singing all those zombies with vigor and jubilation come the 2nd of January. C’mon Celtic get intae them.



MOTM: Calum McGregor by a country mile as he showed no signs of fatigue or rustiness after his injury lay-off. Stat of the day was Aberdeen 117 completed passes and McGregor 170 completed passes. Frightening.


LINEUPS

ABERDEEN: Roos, McCrorie, Stewart, MacKenzie, Kennedy, Barron, Ramadani, Clarkson,
Coulson, Miovski, Barros Lopes, SUBS: Lewis, Morris, Besuijen, Hayes, Duncan, Richardson
Bavidge, Marshall, Ramírez

CELTIC: Hart, Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate, Maeda, Kyogo, Jota. SUBS: Jenz, Giakoumakis, Abada, Mooy, Turnbul, Bernabei, Siegrist, Forrest, Lawal

Referee: S. Walsh


POSSESSION: Aberdeen 18% Celtic 82%

SHOTS: Aberdeen 2 - 33 Celtic

ON TARGET: Aberdeen 0 - 10 Celtic

PASSES: Aberdeen 209 - 853 Celtic

COMPLETION: Aberdeen 56% Celtic 87%



By: Packybhoy