Bhoys' Final Rehearsal at
Perilous Pittodrie
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Dec: Reo Hatate's strike was the difference in the 1-0 win when these sides last met at Pittodrie


Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
20.00 BST

Celtic travel to the North-East to take on 4th placed Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday, in the penultimate Premiership fixture of the season.

The Bhoys defeated Hibernian at the weekend, 3-1, after they were able to overcome conceding the first goal - just the second time in seven attempts when that has happened in the League that has happened.

And with just these last couple of League games to play out, naturally much of interest in this fixture is undoubtedly due to the fact that these two sides will be contesting the Scottish Cup Final just 10 days after this.

While it would be wrong to read too much into the outcome of this match in relation to that, this could be an ideal opportunity for Brendan Rodgers run the rule over some of the fringe players in the squad, not just to press their claims for the Cup Final, but also for their future at the club, with the summer transfer window looming.


Daizen Maeda has already scored 5 goals against Aberdeen this season

This will be the 5th meeting between these sides this season, with the Hoops having dominated this, having won 4 of those, including most recently, back in February, when the Celts ran out comfortable 5-1 victors at Parkhead.

That said, the last time these teams squared off at Pittodrie it was a much tighter affair, admittedly hampered by the wet and windy conditions, and it wasn't until Greg Taylor came off the bench to provide the moment of genuine quality for Reo Hatate to fire home late on and secure the 1-0 win.

Jimmy Thelin's side still have a lot to play for, as they attempt to chase down Hibs in the race for 3rd (realistically, they need to take something from this match to keep that alive), in addition to preparing for the Cup Final. And if that were not enough, they are coming into this match after back to back defeats they'll be desperate to turn around from and put behind them.

While the Dons have failed to quite recapture their overall form that they had in the first half of the season, they remain undefeated at Pittodrie since January, and after their second half capitulation at Ipox at the weekend, as well as still having aspirations to finish 3rd, expect a stern test for the Bhoys on Wednesday evening.


The Dons' Jimmy Thelin & Celtic's Brendan Rodgers willl go head to head for a 5th time this season​

By the Numbers​

• Celtic are undefeated by Aberdeen since May 2018 overall, and since February 2016 at Pittodrie.

• The Bhoys have scored 106 League goals this season - matching the tally from Brendan Rodgers' first season at the club, in 2016/17.

• The Dons are undefeated at Pittodrie since the end of January overall (W5 D2).

• The hosts have also only lost once at home this season when they have scored first across all competitions (W14 D1 L1).

Cameron Carter-Vickers in action against Aberdeen in February. He could return for this game

Team News

Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he has already advised the squad who will be playing in this match, while suggesting that there will be a few changes in order to help ensure freshness is maintained. That includes the return of Alistair Johnston and Viljami Sinisalo to the starting XI, while Kasper Schmeichel is to sit this match out while his shoulder recovery is further assessed following the 3-1 win over Hibs, last weekend.

As for the Dons, they be without Ester Sokler (leg), Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (groin) for this Cup Final rehersal.​

Referee: Steven McLean

With 261 Premiership games under his belt since his debut in 2008, the 44y.o. McLean is one of the most senior and experienced referees still active in the top flight.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:44 W:32 D:5 L:7

VAR: John Beaton

Weather

The forecast for Aberdeen suggests it will be approximately 11°C and clear skies at the time of Kick-Off.

​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 311 W: 191 D: 69 L: 51​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W D D

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W D W W W ~ L L W W D

SPFL
W D W W L ~ L L W D W​