2015-10-31: Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2015 – 2016 | 2015-16 Pictures

Trivia

• Supposedly a top of the table clash but Aberdeen's recent slump has cut that tag. Celtic have already overtaken them in the league and seem to be on a roll domestically at least.
• Celtic now seven points ahead of Aberdeen, but Hearts are now second and Celtic ahead by six points.
• Concerns over Brown and his injuries of late. Not expected to play on Thursday coming.
• Protests continue over Celtic director who voted in House of Lords with conservatives over credit support cuts.
• Deila has a bit of a flaky in questioning yesterday in press conference, not too bad but pressure showing.
• Griffiths continues to be a hero with two goals today.
• Celtic concede again from a set piece. Ridiculous, has become a regular occurrence this season.
• RWC Final today at Twickenham between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand win comfortably in an enjoyable game. Congratulations. Scotland think they're good (they're not really).

Review

(SMahe of KDS)
That was pretty good today.

I've been fairly critical of Rogic in the past but in a game like that(particularly the second half) where he gets plenty of time on the ball he's brilliant.

Terrific goal from Griffiths.

I'd like to see our two most defensive midfielders work harder and make better angles for the centre halves to pass to them. They seem too happy to pass the buck for playing the ball out the the centre halves. Maybe not such an issue for JS, but Boyata's passing is unreliable at best.

The defending at set pieces is still terrible – the goal was a shambles and the other one where Rooney scored but was offside was a very lucky escape – it was definitely offside but not by much and it was definitely more through accident than design that we caught him offside. Had Rooney have taken half a step in the other direction he'd have been onside with 5 yards of space to himself.

That's pretty worrying for Thursday night.

(ElSalto of KDS)
We started slowly and they looked dangerous on the break, but after the first half hour we settled into our game.

Totally swatted them aside after that and some of our football was a joy to behold.

Second half we were superb until we took the foot off the gas, made a couple of changes and allowed them to create a couple of chances.

Heard McInnes on the radio whingeing about the disallowed goal……." haven't seen it, don't know if it was off or not…."

Fecking mook, it was off a mile, as was the goal you actually got.

Great performances from Tierney, Rogic, Griff, Bitton and Simu but really no failures.

Great crowd as well, satisfying day all round.

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Stats

Celtic Aberdeen
Possession
37% 63%
90mins
Shots
30 7
On target
10 2
Corners
12 1
Fouls
14 11

Articles

Celtic 3 – 1 Aberdeen: Griffiths brace is KO blow for Dons
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-3-1-aberdeen-griffiths-brace-is-ko-blow-for-dons-1-3933685
SCORERS

Celtic: Griffiths 44, 54pen; Forrest 60

Aberdeen: Rooney 89

Andrew Smith at Celtic Park
00:10Sunday 01 November 2015 14:39Saturday 31 October 2015

THE other day, Leigh Griffiths told how he owed everything to Ronny Deila, and would do all within his power to “dig him out of a hole”.

With his first domestic double of the season, he did more than that yesterday. He dumped ­Aberdeen into a crater marked ­“championship ­also-rans”. In ­October. In a season when, in the first two months, the Pittodrie side crafted their best ever start to a league season.

Deila, with the profound fiscal advantages his club can muster, shouldn’t whinge about it being a matter of fact for outsiders that his team wins the title. However, there can be good, bad and indifferent league wins.

In that sense, there is significance to the six-point lead his team have now established after 12 games, ­placing the Norwegian’s efforts in a positive light. Not since 2006 have Celtic enjoyed a healthier lead at this juncture. Nine years ago, they were, in fact, 13 points in front. Whatever the impression, it didn’t always prove even vaguely competitive with Rangers in the top flight, or entirely uncompetitive without them.

In an enjoyably open contest, wherein Derek McInnes’ side exhibited menace but were ultimately ­dismantled by hosts a class above them, Griffiths’ contribution ­towered above others. The little forward did so literally to set his team on their way by opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval.

Now Celtic will never have another goalscorer or forward ­talent of Henrik Larsson’s calibre. There is, though, something Larsson-esque about Griffiths’ ability to turn games with moments of ­brilliance.

The 25-year-old did with his stonking strike in the League Cup victory at Hearts in ­midweek. Yesterday, he was at it again in the manner in which he hung in the air and twisted his body to get between Paul Quinn and Ash Taylor to power in an inch-perfect header. The opportunity for the now 16-goal striker was provided by an exquisite delivery from deep on the left by Kieran Tierney.

Griffiths said: “There’s not many times I will beat Ash Taylor in the air. Sometimes I need a ladder to outjump him. It was great ball in.” He added: “I [feel like I can score every game] because I am playing with confidence and if a chance comes my way I will try and put it away. The quicker I get to 20, then I will be aiming towards 30. I have set myself a target of 20 by January and if I do that I’ll be happy.”

Griffiths’ 16th was a rifled-in ­penalty that followed a rush-of-blood wipeout of Kris Commons by Taylor just inside the box that referee Willie Collum made a smart call on.

“The challenge was one that didn’t need to be made,” admitted Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, who lamented his team’s “decision-making” for the next 15 minutes in allowing Celtic to score a third.

For that strike, Thomas Rogic weaved his way towards the edge of the area and fed James Forrest, who flipped the ball over Quinn then slotted past Danny Ward.

Aberdeen claimed a consolation when Adam Rooney looped a header over Craig Gordon from Hayes’ free-kick a minute from time, but it was the Irish forward’s first half failure to find the target that helped ­condemn Aberdeen to a sixth straight game without a victory. A period during which they have taken only one league point from a possible 15.

Just after the half-hour mark Rooney squandered an outstanding chance to open the scoring when he ­nodded past with the goal gaping after Hayes had dropped a cross right on to his head. McInnes was invited to ­contrast this moment with ­Griffith’s game changer. He had no appetite for ­“criticising” a player he said he would rather have for him than against him, but acknowledged ­Celtic’s principal goal source.

McInnes said: “Celtic have good players and it’s important you ­nullify the space. I watched the game on Wednesday night and Griffiths came up with something out of ­nothing.

“It was a dour game, there wasn’t a lot happening in either box and he managed to get his team in front against Hearts. Today, a ball in the box and he is up against it with two big centre-backs in the air and he makes it his – he is a boy playing with a lot of confidence.”

So are Celtic, with three impressive victories since their desultory display in Molde.

Their bullying appeals to the club’s “ultras” in the Green Brigade, who unfurled a banner before kick-off which read: “The northern lights of Aberdeen, switched off in 1985”.

Now, it seems that the only ­Premiership spotlight that will shine on the Pittodrie club will centre around the chase for a second place now occupied by Hearts.

BBC
By Tom English BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic ruthlessly dismissed Aberdeen and in the process trampled underfoot the notion that the Dons could threaten the defence of their title.

Once again it was the outstanding Leigh Griffiths who set Celtic on their way, scoring a header just before half time and a penalty just after.

James Forrest added a fine third as the champions took control.

Adam Rooney, who went close three times in the first half, managed a late consolation for the visitors.

Ronny Deila's team buzzed all afternoon and could have added substantially to their total. Three goals hardly reflected their dominance.

It was Aberdeen's 21st consecutive league defeat at Parkhead going back 11 years and it leaves them a distant seven points behind Celtic in the league table.

The Dons have taken just one point from their last five league outings, their fire of early season all but extinguished.

It ended up as a rout, but in the beginning it was a contest, no question. Rooney continually found space in the Celtic penalty area and glanced efforts narrowly past Craig Gordon's goal.

His best chance came on 35 minutes when Jonny Hayes put over a gorgeous cross only for his fellow Dubliner to flick his front post header wide when he really ought to have scored.

In these moments it was a tale of two strikers – the profligate Rooney and the clinical Griffiths.
Leigh Griffiths slams in his second goal from the penalty spot

Griffiths slams in his second goal from the penalty spot

The Celtic man had earlier been denied by a wonderful save from Danny Ward and then scooped over from close to the penalty spot. The thing about Griffiths, though, is that he is unyielding.

The next chance that came his way was finished wonderfully. It had its origins in a sumptuous delivery from Kieran Tierney, a teenage full-back to quicken the pulse of every Celtic fan.

Griffiths got in behind Paul Quinn and ahead of Ash Taylor and thumped his header past the helpless Ward.

Celtic came out of the traps like greyhounds at the start of the second half and scored their second in quick order.

Taylor, for reasons known only to himself, lunged in on Kris Commons when the midfielder was running away from goal and Griffiths ensured maximum punishment.
Aberdeen have gone five league games without a victory

Aberdeen have now gone five league games without a victory

Eight minutes later, Tom Rogic put James Forrest through for the third, Forrest's lovely first touch taking him away from the last Aberdeen defender and his second putting Celtic into an unassailable position.

Their play had a real verve to it by then. Griffiths could have got a hat-trick, Stuart Armstrong, a second-half substitute, had a number of chances of his own. The more they attacked the more Aberdeen looked like a quivering shadow of the team from earlier in the season.

Title contenders? Not a bit of it. Celtic were miles ahead of the Dons.

The downside for Celtic was the sight of Jozo Simunovic limping off late in the game, the hope being that he will have recovered in time for Europa League action against Molde on Thursday.

There was also the concession of a ludicrously soft late goal, Rooney finally hitting the mark after some terribly slack Celtic defending. It was the type of moment at the back that has dogged them in Europe this season but it was never going to threaten the three points here.

The hosts were full value. Had they scored six they would not have been flattered. A big day for Deila, another grim experience for Dons boss Derek McInnes.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 3, Aberdeen 1.
90:00 +3:10 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 3, Aberdeen 1.
90:00 +2:44

Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +2:44

Foul by David Goodwillie (Aberdeen).
90:00 +2:33

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Celtic).
90:00 +2:33

Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
89:44

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
88:06 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Aberdeen 1. Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jonny Hayes.
87:47

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
87:47

Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
87:13

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
86:36

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86:36

Foul by Kenny McLean (Aberdeen).
85:29

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
84:57

Attempt blocked. Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
83:53

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
81:58

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
79:29

Attempt saved. David Goodwillie (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
77:39 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Efe Ambrose replaces Jozo Simunovic because of an injury.
77:10 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Emilio Izaguirre replaces Kieran Tierney.
74:55

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
74:20

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
74:20

Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
73:00

Peter Pawlett (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
72:59

Foul by Jozo Simunovic (Celtic).
72:23

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
71:33

Attempt saved. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
71:00

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70:54

Foul by Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen).
70:24

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
70:11

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
70:11

Foul by Kenny McLean (Aberdeen).
69:09 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Peter Pawlett replaces Ryan Jack.
68:56 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. David Goodwillie replaces Niall McGinn.
68:39

Foul by Dedryck Boyata (Celtic).
68:39

(Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68:17

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Ward.
68:02

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
67:36

Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
66:57 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stuart Armstrong replaces James Forrest.
66:18

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
66:18

Shaleum Logan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
65:38

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
63:08

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
63:08

Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
62:49

Foul by Kris Commons (Celtic).
62:49

Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
59:40 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Aberdeen 0. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tomas Rogic.
59:03

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right.
58:00

Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
57:59

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
57:11

Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
57:11

Foul by Kenny McLean (Aberdeen).
55:45

Attempt missed. Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
55:31

Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Stefan Johansen.
54:47

Foul by Tomas Rogic (Celtic).
54:47

Niall McGinn (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
53:49

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
53:49

Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
52:43 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Aberdeen 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
52:04 Booking

Booking Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
52:00

Penalty Celtic. Kris Commons draws a foul in the penalty area.
51:49

Penalty conceded by Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) after a foul in the penalty area.
50:29

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
50:00

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
45:43

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
45:43

Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0.
45:00 +3:06 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0.
45:00 +0:08

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
43:26 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Kieran Tierney with a cross.
42:47

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
42:13

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
40:35

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Quinn.
39:42

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Niall McGinn.
39:29

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ash Taylor.
39:20

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Mark Reynolds.
37:33

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ash Taylor.
37:13

Attempt saved. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
36:35

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36:35

Foul by Ryan Jack (Aberdeen).
34:41

Attempt missed. Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
33:11

Attempt missed. Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
30:36

Attempt missed. Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
30:13

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Quinn.
29:13 Booking

Booking Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
29:07

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29:07

Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen).
27:57

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Danny Ward.
27:42

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner.
26:39

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan Jack.
24:10

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Shaleum Logan.
22:26 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Aberdeen. Paul Quinn replaces Andrew Considine because of an injury.
21:10

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
21:10

Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
20:00

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ash Taylor.
19:45

Attempt missed. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
18:39

Attempt missed. Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
16:00

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
15:58

Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Aberdeen).
15:07

Attempt missed. Adam Rooney (Aberdeen) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right.
11:03

Attempt blocked. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
10:37

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Shaleum Logan.
10:24

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
9:41

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
7:43

Foul by Ash Taylor (Aberdeen).
7:43

Jozo Simunovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
7:06

Kenny McLean (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
7:06

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
5:38

Foul by Adam Rooney (Aberdeen).
5:38

Kieran Tierney (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
4:49

Attempt blocked. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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