Match Pictures | Matches: 2020 – 2021
Trivia
- 6pm, Wed; games being played on same day as Champs Lge matches.
- Celtic have agreed a pre-contract agreement with Sheffield Wednesday’s Liam Shaw.
- Aberdeen now 6 games without a goal in a row!
- Celtic posted a loss of £5.9 million for the first six months of the financial year (Jun-Dec) as the sting of the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll.
- Neil Lennon insists there are mitigating circumstances surrounding Celtic’s season that can’t be made public. Not many convinced.
- Chairman Ian Bankier addressed the fans in a lengthy statement which ultimately said the board weren’t going to make any “hasty” decisions about the managerial position. Fans very unhappy and feel still too much inaction from the board. [see below articles]
- St Mirren have made ex-Celt Jim Goodwin ‘the highest paid manager in the club’s history’ after signing the Irishman up to a new three-year deal. Congratulations.
- Ex-Celtic skipper Paul Lambert had to call a halt to Ipswich Town’s daily work-out session – after the club’s fans set fire to the training ground.
- Irish player James McClean’s life was threatened by someone who said they would take a gun to one of his matches, the Stoke winger’s wife has revealed. The Celtic support and Lennon make clear their support to McLean.
- Ian Maxwell who is CEO of @ScottishFA brings in his own brother in arms Andrew Phillips as SFA’s new compliance officer. Apparently a big Sevco fan. https://t.co/QTOMJagL8w
- Covid:
- Sevco boss Gerrard confirms FIVE players breached Covid regulations at ‘illegal house party’ as culprits, however there is less uproar compared to Celtic situations, double standards. No games postponed!
- Vaccinations distribution continues.
- Rates of infection coming down.
Summary
These last couple of games have been very similar to the dross served up early season. The warning signs were ignored then because “a win is a win”. Make that mistake again and you can write next season off.
Turnbull’s strike the difference in the ‘I can’t believe he’s still in a job’ derby.When the second highlight they show is a shot 10yds wide and over you know the game wasn’t the best but a win’s a win for many in this poor season.
Derek McInnes bemoans penalty call as Aberdeen set unwanted record in defeat to Celtic
Greg Taylor marking Ash Taylor at a free kick…the Aberdeen player must be at least 6 inches taller…madness!
Celtic play Aberdeen again in ten days, but few are enamoured by the prospect at the moment! Next game is Ross County away.
(from twitter)
How ironic is it that @CelticFC play @AberdeenFC tonight in a match the @theSNP government cancelled on the same day that @RangersFC announced their own covid player breach for the second time
Don’t worry tho @RangersFC, @theSNP & @ScottishFA are currently working something out
Teams
Celtic:
29Bain
16Kenny
57Welsh
35Ajer
3Taylor
12Soro
Substituted forBrownat 72’minutes
17Christie
14Turnbull
Substituted forElyounoussiat 81’minutes
42McGregor
22Edouard
Substituted forKlimalaat 81’minutes
10Ajeti
Substituted forRogicat 62’minutes
Substitutes
1Barkas
4Duffy
8Brown
9Griffiths
11Klimala
18Rogic
27Elyounoussi
56Ralston
93Laxalt
Goals:
Turnbull (14′ minutes)
Assists:
McGregor (14′ minutes)
Aberdeen:
1Lewis
3Hoban
14Taylor
4Considine
33Kennedy
Substituted forMcGinnat 77’minutes
40McCrorie
19FergusonBooked at 88mins
24Campbell
Substituted forMcGeouchat 82’minutes
17Hayes
Substituted forMcLennanat 62’minutes
7Hornby
Substituted forHendryat 77’minutesBooked at 83mins
22Kamberi
Substitutes
2Logan
9Hendry
10McGinn
15McGeouch
18McLennan
23Ross
26Virtanen
29MacKenzie
43Woods
Goals:
Assists:
Ref:
Alan Muir
Att: none – covid
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
- Prior
- Match
- Post
- MoTM
Stats
CelticAway TeamAberdeen
Possession
Home65%
Away35%
Shots
Home12
Away10
Shots on Target
Home3
Away2
Corners
Home4
Away6
Fouls
Home12
Away18
Articles
Celtic finally release ‘January review’ of Neil Lennon’s future as manager
Celtic say they will not rush into a decision over the future of Neil Lennon as the club finally released the findings of their long-awaited review of the underachieving first-team coaching staff.
By Craig Fowler
Monday, 15th February 2021, 10:07 am
Club chairman Ian Bankier addressed supporters in a lengthy statement on the same day the Parkhead side posted a £5.9 million loss in their six-month financial results.
In the statement, Bankier mentioned the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact of the club on several occasions, while saying the board will take their time to make the right decisions for the future and not bow to “instant” media criticism.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
Fans have been furious with the inactivity of the board with regards to the managerial position. The vast majority of supporters want Lennon removed from his position of manager after watching their ten-in-a-row dreams collapse in startling fashion.
Rivals Rangers are just five wins away from winning their first title in ten years, while Celtic’s stranglehold on Scotland’s cup competitions also came to an end with defeat in the League Cup to Ross County.
A review was initially promised for January in reaction to supporter protests in the early days of December. Fans then became increasingly frustrated when January came and went without a review being made public.
The statement on the Celtic website read: “We have today released our half year trading statement to The Stock Exchange. I want on this occasion to make a separate statement to address various issues raised by supporter shareholders, season ticket holders and the wider body of Celtic fans.
“In recent weeks, the club has been the subject of widespread comment mostly concerning, but not limited to, the team’s performance. I have received correspondence from fans expressing their anxiety and seeking information. These messages and feelings are not being ignored and I accept with due humility what has been said. The frustration that is expressed is clear and unambiguous. It is shared throughout the whole club. That includes, the directors, our football management team, staff and the players.
“Across all media platforms, we have been asked to communicate our reaction to events on and off the park and to reveal our decisions and intentions. It is worth saying that over the period in question, the football manager has addressed each and every game we have played. The club has made announcements dealing with speculation over the manager’s tenure, the Covid outbreak amongst our players in January, the appointment of a new CEO and player sales and signings at the end of the January transfer window.
“It is acknowledged that the season, to date, has been a disappointment. We approached it with justifiable confidence. Having been crowned league champions for the ninth year in a row, we looked forward to making it a quadruple treble in the delayed Scottish Cup. We retained a number of highly sought-after players, so as to have the strongest possible squad going into this season. We supplemented our player pool by investing in new player registrations. We had in place a manager with a proven record and the core of a squad who had created history for the club.
“But the harsh reality has been that, thus far, we have not achieved the results we have sought. We have not met the consistently high standards that we have become accustomed to. We do not shy away from these cold facts.
“Across the plethora of media channels, comments and criticisms are instant. Evaluating our options in order to make the right decisions at this time in the club’s history cannot be instant. As things stand today, we are operating under government-imposed restrictions with no clear horizon.
“We are in the period of review we indicated in our announcement of 7th December. I must state clearly that all decisions we take will be taken calmly and rationally. We will not make hasty decisions that we might regret. There is considerable uncertainty as to how and when the game will get back to normal. Equally, there are opportunities ahead of us, as the structure of European competitions evolves over the next three to five years. Amongst other things, we will be considering how to take full advantage of what comes our way.
“Meanwhile, we cannot alter the timeline of the pandemic. Therefore, we face the prospect of further challenges, whilst we play to an empty stadium where our fans belong. The virtual season ticket scheme has not been and cannot be a substitute for the real thing. We do recognise that. We thank all our season ticket holders for the fantastic loyalty they have shown the club and, of course, we are working on ways in which we can acknowledge that. Your commitment to a season ticket supports our playing squad and allows us to invest in players, giving Celtic the best chance to deliver the playing success that we all want. The Celtic support at our matches is something we have missed, of that there is simply no question.
“The Covid pandemic has cast its shadow over all aspects of normal life and it continues to present many challenges for our supporters and the communities we all live in. On behalf of the board, I send our continued thanks, appreciation and warmest wishes to all our supporters. The job of your board is to look to the future and we should do so with a sense of togetherness in the coming months.”
Celtic detail reasons behind £5.9m loss as six-month financial results revealed
Celtic revealed a pre-tax loss of almost £6million and a decrease in revenue of almost 24 per cent in the club’s half-year financial report.
By Angus Wright
Monday, 15th February 2021, 8:56 am
Chairman Ian Bankier described keeping Neil Lennon’s squad intact in a bid to win a 10th successive Scottish Premiership title and the adverse impact of Covid-19 as “two key factors” in the Parkhead outfit’s interim report for the six months to December 31, 2020.
The report showed revenues of £40.7million (down from £53.3million in 2019) and a loss before taxation of £5.9million where there had been a profit of £24.4million in 2019.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
The loss from trading, representing the loss excluding player related gains and charges, amounted to £0.3million (profit of £7.1million in 2019) and period end net cash at bank was £19.7million (£32.9million in 2019).
In a statement on the club’s official website, Bankier said: “Season 2020/21 started with further significant investment into our playing squad as we prepared for the season ahead, commencing with the Champions League qualification fixtures, featuring challenging single-leg knockout ties as a result of the restricted football environment.
“We acquired the registrations of Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas and David Turnbull, retained Mohamed Elyounoussi on loan and brought in experienced internationals Shane Duffy and Diego Laxalt on loan.
“We also retained key players who had contributed so much to the team in previous seasons.
“At the time of writing we currently sit second in the league 18 points behind the leaders, having played one game less and with 10 games remaining.
“The prolonged summer transfer window, the impact of Covid-19 and, crucially, the loss of our passionate support at matches have undoubtedly had a damaging effect on our performance levels in domestic and European competitions, but we recognise that our performance has not been good enough.
“The two key factors that adversely affected our financial results for the period under review were: firstly, reduced gains from player trading as we sought to keep intact our squad this season; and, secondly, the unforeseen and prolonged value destructive impact of Covid-19.
“Our strategy for season 2020/21 was to invest in the team and to retain our best players, with the objective of delivering the league championship.
“As a result, gains from player trading were minimal. The effects of Covid-19 have persisted longer than many could have envisaged and, as a result, our crucial match day and other income streams derived from our stadium have been reduced to negligible proportions.
“These two factors largely explain the reduction in our profit before tax. No football club is immune from the effects of Covid-19.”
The statement continued: “Looking forward, the football and financial environment is still volatile and very uncertain because of the ongoing effects of Covid-19.
“At the time of writing, it is unclear when the 2020/21 Scottish Cup will re-commence following its suspension.
“Neither are we able to say at this stage when we will be able to welcome our supporters back to Celtic Park, but we continue to work with the football authorities and the Scottish Government with a view to ensuring that fans are able to return to football safely as soon as possible.
“All of this will continue to affect our financial results, meaning we are unable to offer any outlook guidance on revenue or earnings.
BBC
By Andy CampbellBBC Sport Scotland
5 minutes ago5 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Highlights: Celtic 1-0 Aberdeen
Derek McInnes believes Aberdeen should have enjoyed the “fortune” of a penalty in their 1-0 defeat by Celtic.
David Turnbull’s strike took Celtic to within 15 points of Scottish Premiership leaders Rangers.
After the goal, Florian Kamberi’s cross struck Stephen Welsh’s hand in the Celtic box and the Dons’ scoreless run continued to a record sixth game.
“Where we are just now, we’re looking for those little breaks and right decisions,” McInnes told BBC Scotland.
“You’re looking for a bit of fortune at times and also a bit of quality. The fortune should come with the penalty kick that we never got that should be a penalty.”
McInnes’ side, in fourth place, remain four points behind Hibernian, who have a game in hand, while Neil Lennon’s Celtic and Rangers have both played 29 of their 38 league games.
And the Dons boss accepts the club need to “take responsibility” for their unwanted record adding: “It’s only us that can change it.”
Reaction & as it happened
Kamberi should have made more of a tame effort that Scott Bain collected moments before the Turnbull opener.
The midfielder was afforded far too much space when receiving Callum McGregor’s pass midway inside Aberdeen’s half and punished the visitors with a fierce low strike past Joe Lewis.
Swiss striker Kamberi claimed unsuccessfully for a penalty after his cross came off Welsh’s hand and Dean Campbell then got in behind Celtic’s defence to cross for Fraser Hornby, who could not connect.
Kamberi was inches away from levelling when he collected a loose ball and fired powerfully against the left upright.
Odsonne Edouard tested Lewis as Celtic looked to make the scoreline more comfortable and Turnbull’s next shot was deflected wide.
McGregor and Turnbull combined again early in the second period but the latter’s shot was hacked clear.
Hornby got decent purchase on a shot on the edge of Celtic’s box but Bain was untroubled.
Ryan Christie’s lob dropped over the Aberdeen bar amid a raft of changes from both sides and substitute Patryk Klimala was denied by Lewis.
And, in stoppage time, Aberdeen poured players forward and Tommie Hoban’s volley was blocked by Welsh.
Man of the match – David Turnbull
David Turnbull celebrates after scoring for Celtic against Aberdeen
Turnbull was a driving force, always trying to make things happen for Celtic and getting the vital opener
What did we learn?
Celtic were less dominant than they had been in recent games and rarely threatened to move up through the gears.
Edouard’s return to form has been the catalyst for their recent resurgence but Turnbull has impressed consistently since becoming a regular in the starting line-up.
Aberdeen’s performance was a vast improvement on Saturday’s stalemate with St Mirren and their continued lack of goals is not for the want of trying.
However, if they are to persist with 3-5-2, they will need to get their wide men much further forward to create more chances.
What did they say?
Celtic ‘stood strong’ in narrow win – Kennedy
Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy: “Second half we had to grind out, first half we were really comfortable. A really well worked goal.
“When it’s 1-0, teams are always going to throw everything at it. We stood really strong. We defend the box really well.”
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: “A fantastic strike from Turnbull and Joe’s maybe had one other save.
“I still felt we had the best couple of chances in the game with Kamberi hitting the post and running through on goal.”
Match ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0.
90’+5′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0.
90’+4′
Post update
Scott Bain (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90’+4′
Post update
Foul by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen).
90’+4′
Post update
Foul by Patryk Klimala (Celtic).
90’+4′
Post update
Connor McLennan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90’+3′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
90’+2′
Post update
Attempt missed. Andrew Considine (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Niall McGinn with a cross following a corner.
90’+2′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Greg Taylor.
90’+1′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum Hendry (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andrew Considine with a headed pass.
90’+1′
Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ash Taylor with a cross.
90′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer.
89′
Post update
Attempt saved. Patryk Klimala (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Christie with a through ball.
88′
Booking
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
88′
Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88′
Post update
Foul by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen).
87′
Post update
Offside, Aberdeen. Ross McCrorie tries a through ball, but Niall McGinn is caught offside.
86′
Post update
Patryk Klimala (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
86′
Post update
Foul by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen).
85′
Post update
Foul by Patryk Klimala (Celtic).
- 85′
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 83′
Booking
Callum Hendry (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. - 83′
Post update
Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 83′
Post update
Foul by Callum Hendry (Aberdeen). - 82′
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Dylan McGeouch replaces Dean Campbell. - 81′
Post update
Attempt missed. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Tomas Rogic. - 81′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Mohamed Elyounoussi replaces David Turnbull. - 81′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Patryk Klimala replaces Odsonne Edouard. - 79′
Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 79′
Post update
Foul by Ash Taylor (Aberdeen). - 77′
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Niall McGinn replaces Matthew Kennedy. - 77′
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Callum Hendry replaces Fraser Hornby. - 76′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ryan Christie (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. - 75′
Post update
Hand ball by Tommie Hoban (Aberdeen). - 72′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Scott Brown replaces Ismaila Soro. - 71′
Post update
Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic). - 71′
Post update
Connor McLennan (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half. - 71′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Ryan Christie. - 71′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Florian Kamberi (Aberdeen) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Ferguson. - 70′
Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic). - 70′
Post update
Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half. - 69′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Ismaila Soro tries a through ball, but Greg Taylor is caught offside. - 68′
Post update
David Turnbull (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half. - 68′
Post update
Foul by Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen). - 66′
Post update
Offside, Aberdeen. Ash Taylor tries a through ball, but Florian Kamberi is caught offside. - 65′
Post update
Attempt saved. Fraser Hornby (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Florian Kamberi. - 65′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ash Taylor (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Ferguson. - 64′
Post update
Foul by Jonjoe Kenny (Celtic). - 64′
Post update
Matthew Kennedy (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half. - 62′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Albian Ajeti. - 62′
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Connor McLennan replaces Jonny Hayes. - 61′
Post update
Hand ball by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen). - 61′
Post update
Attempt missed. Fraser Hornby (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Matthew Kennedy with a cross. - 60′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic). - 60′
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half. - 59′
Post update
Jonjoe Kenny (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 59′
Post update
Foul by Dean Campbell (Aberdeen). - 59′
Post update
Foul by Ismaila Soro (Celtic). - 59′
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing. - 56′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Ryan Christie. - 55′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Kristoffer Ajer. - 54′
Post update
Foul by Ryan Christie (Celtic). - 54′
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing. - 54′
Post update
Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor. - 53′
Post update
Albian Ajeti (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half. - 53′
Post update
Foul by Ash Taylor (Aberdeen). - 52′
Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 52′
Post update
Foul by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen). - 51′
Post update
Stephen Welsh (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 51′
Post update
Foul by Fraser Hornby (Aberdeen). - 50′
Post update
Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing. - 50′
Post update
Foul by Tommie Hoban (Aberdeen). - 46′
Post update
Attempt missed. Florian Kamberi (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Lewis Ferguson with a cross following a set piece situation. - 46′
Post update
Foul by Odsonne Edouard (Celtic). - 46′
Post update
Dean Campbell (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing. - Second Half
Second Half begins Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0. - 45’+3′
Half Time
First Half ends, Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0. - 45’+2′
Post update
Foul by Stephen Welsh (Celtic). - 45’+2′
Post update
Andrew Considine (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half. - 45’+2′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Tommie Hoban.
45’+2′
Post update
Attempt blocked. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Odsonne Edouard.
45′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Matthew Kennedy.
44′
Post update
Attempt saved. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by David Turnbull.
43′
Post update
Kristoffer Ajer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
43′
Post update
Foul by Dean Campbell (Aberdeen).
40′
Post update
Florian Kamberi (Aberdeen) hits the left post with a right footed shot from outside the box.
39′
Post update
Foul by Jonjoe Kenny (Celtic).
39′
Post update
Dean Campbell (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
38′
Post update
Foul by Albian Ajeti (Celtic).
38′
Post update
Tommie Hoban (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
33′
Post update
Attempt missed. Callum McGregor (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a corner.
33′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ash Taylor.
32′
Post update
Attempt missed. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.
31′
Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
31′
Post update
Foul by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen).
29′
Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
29′
Post update
Foul by Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen).
20′
Post update
Ryan Christie (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
20′
Post update
Foul by Fraser Hornby (Aberdeen).
19′
Post update
Stephen Welsh (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
19′
Post update
Foul by Fraser Hornby (Aberdeen).
14′
Goal!
Goal! Celtic 1, Aberdeen 0. David Turnbull (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
13′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
11′
Post update
Attempt saved. Florian Kamberi (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dean Campbell.
9′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Greg Taylor (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McGregor.
5′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Lewis Ferguson.
2′
Post update
Attempt missed. Odsonne Edouard (Celtic) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Greg Taylor with a cross.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 18:04 17 Feb18:04 17 Feb
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Celtic verdict: Aberdeen undulations highlight the continued need for Scott Brown influence
Celtic really must have turned a corner.
By Andrew Smith
Thursday, 18th February 2021, 7:00 am
HAVE YOUR SAY
It might have brought a fifth straight win for Neil Lennon’s men, but certain aspects of their 1-0 home defeat of Aberdeen belonged to their bleak periods across this glummest of seasons for them. The sort of points-shipping contests when they would allow their intensity to drift and find themselves clinging on.
The fact they did that against Derek McInnes’ men – who they blew away for half an hour only for their visitors to develop greater purpose for long stretches afterwards – will be considered progress. However, it is impossible not to consider the context. The Pittodrie side don’t score against any team these days, and their latest blank means a first six-game run in the club’s history where they have failed to find the net.
Celtic: Get the latest team news, match previews and reports
No-one talks of Celtic being usurped for second spot in the Premiership, that was gaining much overheated traction during their January slump. The victory places Lennon’s men within 15 points of Rangers, having now played the same number of games. Shamefully for a side that have dominated the Scottish game for a decade, it is as close to the Ibrox champions-elect as they have been in 2021.
Celtic’s inability to build on the platform they gave themselves with another sumptuous long-range goal from David Turnbull in 14 minutes – the attacker seeming to find a space that didn’t exist to lazer a raking 25-yard drive into the right-hand corner of Joe Lewis’ net – revealed the continued importance of Scott Brown.
The Celtic captain began on the bench following four straight starts…which just happened to bring the Parkhead side four straight victories for the first time since October. As much as Ismaila Soro has the quick feet to win tackles and break up play, the 22-year-old cannot provide the same game management as Brown. And as a desperate, wounded Aberdeen poured everything into the encounter, they were able to knock their hosts out of their stride as control was lost in the centre of the pitch. It was no surprise Brown replaced Soro for the final 18 minutes.
The earlier gear-shift was dramatic. It followed an opening spell when Lennon’s men looked set-up for goals with razor-sharp passing and movement. When they dropped off from those levels, though, Florian Kamberi began to threaten. The Swiss striker was desperately unlucky not to equalise 40 minutes in with a fizzing low drive that smacked the post with Scott Bain beaten.
Aberdeen threw everything at Celtic in the closing stages, after Lennon’s men missed opportunities to seal the points. A month ago, an equaliser would have been the inevitable result. Lennon then hadn’t paired Kristoffer Ajer and Stephen Welsh in central defence, or had Jonjoe Kenny. All three, and Greg Taylor, stood up in the dicey final minutes. Celtic’s imperfections remain, but that they appear to have some durability is evidence they are not so imperfect as before.
Celtic: Bain, Kenny, Welsh, Ajer, Taylor, Soro (Brown 72), McGregor, Turnbull (Elyounoussi 81), Christie, Ajeti (Rogic 62), Edouard (Klimala 81). Subs: Barkas, Duffy, Griffiths, Klimala, Elyounoussi, Ralston, Laxalt.
Aberdeen: Lewis, Kennedy, Hoban, Taylor, Considine, Kennedy (McGinn 77), McCrorie, Ferguson, Campbell (McGeouch 82), Hayes (McLennan 62); Hornby (Hendry 78), Kamberi. Subs: Woods, Logan, Ross, Virtanen, MacKenzie.
…