Celts' Paradise is Dons' Purgatory

Celts Paradise is Dons' Purgatory
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~




Sunday, 28 November 2021
15.00 GMT
Celtic Park​

The Hoops return back home, looking to put the disappointment of a narrow defeat in Germany behind them, with the visit of Aberdeen on Sunday to Parkhead.

And although the result on Thursday didn't quite go the way the Celtic faithful would've wanted, there is undeniable evidence of the improvement that the Bhoys have made over the past few months, with an spirited display, undone by a little lack of depth on the bench when it was needed to see that game home.

None the less, any Euro hangover must be cast aside, with the imminent visit of the men from the north-east, along with former Celtic skipper, Scott Brown, who is returning to Celtic Park for the first time since departing at the end of last season - and should be accorded a measure of respect prior to kick-off, but once the whistle blows it's game on.

Aberdeen will be looking to bounce back from the successive defeats by Motherwell and Dundee United, but their troubles this season extend far beyond that. Especially away from Pittodrie, where they've not won since early August and only managed two points on their travels since.

Celtic have a tremendous head to head record in this fixture overall, not having been defeated since May 2018, winning 9 and drawing the other 3 matches since then.

Indeed, that record is even more imposing at Parkhead, where the Bhoys have won 29 of the previous 31 meetings, in a run that goes all the way back to when Martin O'Neill was still the Hoops' manager, and all time have clocked a full century of wins over Aberdeen at Parkhead.

That said, Celtic should not be going into this game with any sort of complacency, and perhaps with the sting of the result on Thursday still fresh in the memory it should trigger a performance worthy of the memory of Bertie Auld, who was laid to rest on Friday, and will sorely be missed by all.


Rest in peace Bertie Auld - You'll Never Walk Alone

Team News

Ange Postecoglou revealed through the week that he was saving the return of Tom Rogic until this weekend, which is great news as the Australian midfielder was in scintillating form prior to picking up the hamstring strain last month.

Defenders Carl Starfelt (hamstring), Christopher Julien (knee) and Greg Taylor (shoulder) are all closing in on a return, as they have been taking part in training and
this is also great news, especially with so many fixtures for the Bhoys to get through over the next month.

Giorgos Giakoumakis, who has missed the last couple of games with a knee complaint remains sidelined, and there is concern about the availability of Nir Bitton, whose substitution was the turning point on Thursday when Leverkusen fought back.

For the visitors, there is return for David Bates, while Jack McKenzie may face a late fitness test ahead of the game.

Meanwhile Lewis Ferguson is once again available after sitting out a suspension, however the the SFA have effectively refused to rescind or even the right to appeal Funso Ojo's controversial second yellow card from last weekend's defeat at the hands of Dundee United, which has ruled the midfielder out of tomorrow's clash.

Stephen Glass however, also revealed that defenders Calvin Ramsey and Declan Gallagher will however miss the match


Tom Rogic is set to return from a hamstring strain

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 322 W: 170 D: 78 L: 74

Home v Aberdeen
P: 157 W: 100 D: 32 L: 25​

Last 5 Meetings
W D W W W

Home v Aberdeen
W W W W D

~~~~ 2021/22 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
L W W W D ~ L L W D W

SPFL
W D W W W ~ L L W D W

CEL Home ~ ABN Away
D W W L D ~ L D L L L​