2014-02-25: Aberdeen 2-1 Celtic, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2013 – 2014 | 2013-14 Pictures

Trivia

• Celtic on 72pts, Aberdeen on 51pts.
• Set of records lost today: Celtic lose for first time this season in the league. Long domestic run of clean sheets in the league gone ended. First league defeat for 27 games.
• Long spell of blank sheet in goals ended. Fraser Forster's clean-sheet run ends at 1,256 minutes.
• Down to ten men with VvD sent off.
• Re-arranged fixture being played on a Champions League night. Being shown late delayed on BBC Alba.
• Scotland drawn with Rep of Ireland in group qualifiers for the Euros 2016: Germany Ireland Poland Scotland Georgia Gibraltar.
• Ex-Celtic manager Gordon Strachan manages Scotland, ex-Celtic manager Martin O'Neill (with ex-Celt Roy Keane) manages Rep of Ireland. So will test the old MoN v WGS arguments from the forums, or better still we hope not.
• Martin O’Neill has admitted that he is looking forward to the prospect of taking his side to Celtic Park. The national stadium will be out of action when the two sides meet, so Scotland v
• Ireland & MoN v Scotland & WGS at Celtic Park. Interesting.
• Also, ex-Celt & cult favourite Artur Boruc still with Poland.
• Three Green Brigade members acquitted of all charges under Offensive Behaviour Act after the Police wrongly identified them in the dock

Review

(mackin of KDS forum)
Very disappointing first half, but it was 12v8 for most of it.

It was a definite red card, although that was the only thing Thomson got right the whole game, and Ambrose and Mulgrew shouldnt have put van Dijk in the position to have to dive in.

Griffiths and Ambrose booked for their first fouls, Flood and Robson got away with murder the whole game and both should have gone.

I would have taken Commons and Stokes off after 30 minutes as neither worked hard enough when we were down to 10. Stokes did better in the 2nd half, but thats only because Aberdeen were sitting in to protect their lead.

A wonder goal to beat Forsters record, but with 10 men and the aforementioned Commons and Stokes not tracking, there was a huge gap in midfield for Hayes to run through. 2nd goal just before half time killed it.

Dominated the 2nd half, but they were determined just to sit in and hit us on the counter and we didnt have enough ideas to get through them.

Forrest provided a much needed bit of pace and spark and took his goal well.

Denied a stonewall penalty, but there wasnt a break in play between that and Forrests goal, so its possibly moot to mention it.

Brown has to be the worst decision maker in the history of football. 10 minutes to go, we get a free kick in Mulgrew territory on the edge of the box and he plays a quick, short pass and gives it away.

No idea why Samaras was brought on. Him and Boerrigter were only warming up for the first 10 minutes of the second half then no other sub was out until Lennon sent Balde out to warm up after 9.25pm. Why? Far too late to make any sort of impact.

Biton was fantastic, and Griffiths put in the sort of shift you need when down to 10 men.

Teams

Articles

• Match Report (see end of page below)
• Audio Report: Paradise Report

Pictures

• Match Pictures

MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –
• 2013-14 Winners

Stats

Aberdeen Celtic
Possession
48% 52%
90mins

Shots
8 10

On target
4 5

Corners
3 5

Fouls
13 13

Articles

Aberdeen end Celtic’s bid for unbeaten season
The Scotsman
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/latest/aberdeen-end-celtic-s-bid-for-unbeaten-season-1-3320119

by ALAN PATTULLO AT PITTODRIE

Updated on the 26 February
2014 08:45

Celtic’s hopes of completing the season unbeaten in the league perished at Pittodrie last night on a special night for Aberdeen, who clinched their second victory over the Parkhead side inside a month.

It is also the first time in over 20 years that Aberdeen have beaten Celtic both home and away in the same season. Already eliminated from both cup competitions, Celtic manager Neil Lennon had challenged his side to show they were “invincible” in the league. However, they could not overcome the red card shown to Virgil Van Dijk after only 11 minutes and conceded two goals in the five period before half-time. Goalkeeper Fraser Forster surrendered his clean sheets record after 1255 minutes of league football while Celtic’s 26-match unbeaten run in the league was also undone at Pittodrie, in front of a crowd of over 16,000.

Jonny Hayes’ thunderous effort from 30 yards after 40 minutes finally broke Forster’s long run without conceding a goal in the league and Adam Rooney added a second soon afterwards. Substitute James Forrest pulled one back for ten man Celtic and Lennon described their efforts to get back into the game as “outstanding”. This was not a word he used in connection with referee Craig Thomson, who infuriated the manager with his decision to send off Van Dijk for a last-ditch foul on Peter Pawlett and also his refused to award Celtic a penalty in the second half for what Lennon felt was a handball by Mark Reynolds. “I thought we were worthy of the win,” said Lennon. “I thought we deserved it. The referee ruined the game – it’s not a sending-off. Pawlett’s going across the goal rather than towards the goal and I’m pretty sure [Efe] Ambrose was getting across. There was a clear handball in the second-half. He has seen it and said it wasn’t deliberate. Everyone else in the ground must have known it was a penalty. He’s had two crucial decisions go against us.”

“I’ve seen the red card back,” Lennon continued. “I didn’t think it was a red card at the time and I still don’t. I spoke to the referee briefly after the game, on the pitch. He didn’t give an explanation – he just said he understood I was upset and left it at that. I think it’s poor. Maybe I’m the only one who sees it that way but I’m pretty convinced it’s not a red card

“I thought we were outstanding,” he added. “The first goal you can hold your hand up and say it was a great hit. You don’t mind that – it’s going to take a special goal to beat Fraser. The second goal is disappointing from our point of view but I thought we were magnificent in the second half and I expect that from these players.”

Derek McInnes saluted his Aberdeen team, who bounced back from Saturday 3-1 defeat to Partick Thistle to record another win over Celtic after their Scottish Cup fifth round triumph.

“I am delighted with every one of the players, it is a good night for the club,” he said. “You saw Pittodrie at its best tonight. The supporters were really energised and got behind the team. It was a big, big turn out and it was important that they saw the team win tonight.

McInnes thanked the fans for “not getting as anxious as we were” during the second-half comeback from ten man Celtic.

“They have seen their team beat Celtic deservedly with two magnificent goals and loads of effort,” he said. It is not easy to beat Celtic whether they have ten or 11 men. You can see why these players play for Celtic. They never know when they are beaten.”

“It was a bit disappointing we never kept the ball better in the second half. It added to the anxiety in the ground. But, over the 90 minutes, we were the better team. It was the right decision to send Van Dijk off. It is a big ask to beat Celtic because they are proud of their unbeaten run.”

In last night’s two other Premiership games, Inverness Caledonian Thistle enjoyed a fine 3-0 away derby win over Ross County and St Johnstone comfortably beat Motherwell 3-0 at McDiarmid Park.

BBC

By Andrew Southwick BBC Scotland

Aberdeen inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Celtic with their second victory over the champions in a matter of weeks.

Celtic had Virgil van Dijk sent off for a last-man challenge on Peter Pawlett after just 12 minutes.

Jonathan Hayes's shot flew into the top corner to give Aberdeen the lead, before Adam Rooney headed in a second.

Substitute James Forrest gave Celtic a lifeline to make it a nervy second half, but the Dons held on.

With Celtic's 26-game unbeaten run went Fraser Forster's clean sheet record, and the last five goals the English goalkeeper has now conceded domestically have been to Derek McInnes's men.

The Dons' victory follows their win in Glasgow when they knocked holders Celtic out of the Scottish Cup.

With Motherwell losing to St Johnstone, the Dons now move four points clear in second spot in the Scottish Premiership as they close in on Europa League qualification.
Forster's record

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster's Scottish record for the longest time without conceding a league goal was an unbroken 1,215 minutes coming into the game – it was ended at 1,256 minutes.

Celtic had not let in a Scottish Premiership goal since they last played Aberdeen, in a 3-1 win back on 23 November.

Celtic started the game on the front foot and twice had Aberdeen living dangerously inside the opening minutes.

Ex-Don Charlie Mulgrew slipped inside his marker and drilled a low ball at Jamie Langfield, before Anthony Stokes almost scrambled Scott Brown's low cross over the line, only for Mark Reynolds to make a timely intervention.

It was a good start from the visitors, but manager Neil Lennon's game plan was turned on its head inside the first quarter of an hour.

Mulgrew gifted away possession, leaving Van Dijk the last man against two red shirts. The big Dutchman mistimed his challenge and sent Pawlett sprawling on the edge of the box, and referee Craig Thomson reached straight for the red card.

Rooney was inches away from connecting with Hayes's cross but, that chance apart, it seemed Aberdeen did not quite know what to do with their one-man advantage and Celtic still looked the more comfortable of the two sides.

Nir Biton forced a great one-handed save from Langfield, with the rebound narrowly evading Leigh Griffiths.

However just as Forster looked set to extend his clean sheet record into half-time, it was blown apart by two quick-fire Aberdeen goals.

First Niall McGinn found Hayes in space, and the Irishman cracked a stunning 30-yard effort into the top corner that the Celtic shot-stopper could not get anywhere near, the first league goal he had conceded in 1,256 minutes.

That lifted Pittodrie, and soon the lead was doubled when Rooney's diving header directed McGinn's cross into the corner of the net to give the hosts a commanding half-time lead.

Celtic still had an unbeaten league run to preserve, and a dominant 15-minute spell of pressure finally brought its reward when Tate's clearance was unconvincing, and Forrest was given space to fire Brown's lay-off into the roof of the net.

Aberdeen had been happy to sit back and let Celtic have possession, but now they needed a response.

Hayes and Barry Robson tested Forster from distance, but the nerves were evident amongst the home side as Lennon's men continued to have the initiative.

Stokes and Samaras both tried their luck from distance, but Celtic could not get in behind the Dons defence.

McInnes threw on Russell Anderson and Joe Shaughnessy with Aberdeen rooted in their own half.

The Dons could have settled nerves when McGinn was sent clear on the right late on.

He had space for the shot but instead tried to find Pawlett in the middle, and his ball across goal was poor.

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Aberdeen 2, Celtic 1.
90:00 +3:09 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Aberdeen 2, Celtic 1.
90:00 +2:21

Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +2:21

Foul by Amido Baldé (Celtic).
90:00 +1:52 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Scott Vernon replaces Peter Pawlett.
88:13 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Amido Baldé replaces Emilio Izaguirre.
86:28

Joe Shaughnessy (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
86:28

Foul by Georgios Samaras (Celtic).
84:38

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Willo Flood.
82:37 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Russell Anderson replaces Shaleum Logan.
82:22 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Joe Shaughnessy replaces Alan Tate.
81:25 Booking

Booking Willo Flood (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
81:20

Foul by Willo Flood (Aberdeen).
81:20

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
80:22

Foul by Willo Flood (Aberdeen).
80:22

Nir Biton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
79:10

Attempt blocked. Georgios Samaras (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
78:16

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
77:15

Foul by Barry Robson (Aberdeen).
77:15

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76:09 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Georgios Samaras replaces Leigh Griffiths.
75:34

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
74:50

Attempt blocked. Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
74:08

Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
74:08

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
70:43

Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
70:43

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
70:23

Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
70:23

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
69:19

Attempt saved. Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
65:44

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Barry Robson.
65:13

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Tate.
64:39

Attempt saved. Barry Robson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
64:08

Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Adam Matthews.
62:28

Attempt missed. Scott Brown (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
61:17 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Aberdeen 2, Celtic 1. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Leigh Griffiths.
56:51

Attempt missed. Adam Matthews (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
54:24

Foul by Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen).
54:24

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
52:43

Foul by Alan Tate (Aberdeen).
52:43

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
52:15

Foul by Niall McGinn (Aberdeen).
52:15

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
50:00

Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49:56

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
45:00

Second Half begins Aberdeen 2, Celtic 0.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Kris Commons.
45:00 +1:16 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Aberdeen 2, Celtic 0.
45:00 +1:03

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Tate.
45:00 +0:09 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Aberdeen 2, Celtic 0. Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Niall McGinn with a cross.
43:05

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
40:45 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Aberdeen 1, Celtic 0. Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner.
37:54

Attempt saved. Nir Biton (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
35:41

Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
35:41

Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
33:49

Foul by Barry Robson (Aberdeen).
33:49

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
32:08

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Alan Tate.
30:40

Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
28:43

Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Adam Matthews.
28:00

Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
27:57

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
26:12

Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
26:12

Foul by Nir Biton (Celtic).
24:44

Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
24:44

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
24:14

Attempt blocked. Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
21:19 Booking

Booking Efe Ambrose (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
21:09

Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
21:09

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
20:22

Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
20:22

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
19:17

Attempt missed. Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
17:11 Booking

Booking Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
17:01

Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
17:01

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
16:10

Hand ball by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
15:35

Foul by Alan Tate (Aberdeen).
15:35

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
12:51

Attempt blocked. Barry Robson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
12:02 Dismissal

Dismissal Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) is shown the red card for a bad foul.
12:00

Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
11:41

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
8:57 Booking

Booking Andrew Considine (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card.
8:00

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
7:59

Foul by Andrew Considine (Aberdeen).
7:01

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
4:48

Foul by Nir Biton (Celtic).
4:48

Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
3:54

Efe Ambrose (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
3:54

Foul by Niall McGinn (Aberdeen).
1:42

Attempt saved. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

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