Match Pictures | Matches: 2021 – 2022
Trivia
- KO: 19:45; Wednesday; League Match 26 of 38; Aberdeen ppv TV
- Celtic remain one point in front as Sevco 2-0 win over Hibs. Goal difference down to +8.
- Full Scottish Premiership card being played this day. Yet not one single game shown live by sky sports!!
- SFA unveil Euro 2028 host bid as Hampden lined up as part of UK and Ireland joint bid. They scrap the world cup bid for 2030.
- Barkas: Celtic had hoped that IFK Goteborg would follow up their interest with a loan move, but Swedish media outlet Aftonblodet claim that they have switched targets in the goalkeeping department.
- Ex Celt Davie Cattanach sadly passed away last weekend. RIP; black armbands worn at this match in his honour.
- GB terracing section 111 to be shut in next home game (v Raith Rovers) for safety review following mass pyro etc at the home game v Sevco.
- Rocco Vata named one of the best young footballers in the world, just 16 and at Celtic.
- Hamilton, Hamilton and Hamilton start for Arbroath against Hamilton while Hamilton also have a Hamilton in their starting lineup!
- Leigh Griffiths has signed for Falkirk until the end of the season, following his release from Celtic.
- Today’s Gossip: Ange on Jullien “Chris is training well, he’s fit and available and will get an opportunity”. Ange believes Johnny Kenny has an opportunity to be involved in the first team in the weeks ahead. @CelticFC academy structure to undergo strategic review.
- Sauchiehall Street: Retailers say street is ‘beyond saving’ after new major Glasgow store closure. Sad decline
- Dundee Utd boss Tam Courts believed it “was written in the stars” that ex-Celt Tony Watt would score his first goal for the Tangerines against former club Motherwell at Tannadice, 2-0 to Dundee Utd.
- Rangers Deidco: The sheriff who granted an unlawful warrant during the botched police operation into the death of Rangers is set to be investigated after claims that his “vociferous” support for the club compromised his impartiality. An official complaint has been submitted against Sheriff Lindsay Wood, alleging that he disregarded the apparent conflict of interest created by his affiliation with old Rangers.
- AFCON 2022: Senegal defeat Egypt to win AFCON. Congrats.
- Online leaked video shows West Ham United player Kurt Zouma repeatedly kicking his cat across the floor like a football. Sick and pathetic. Yet West Ham still played him despite the mass calls to cut him.
- Winter Olympics: Team GB (basically Scotland) get 4th in mixed doubles Curling missing out on a medal.
Summary
“It’s great to win, it’s a difficult place to come.”
“I’m not just manager of a football club. I’m manager of everything that football club embodies, and this is a club that’s had really strong values, a really strong identity and a lot of success since 1888.”
Ange Postecoglou (Feb 2022)
“First half, we were really good, we controlled the game. Second half, we were okay, but set-pieces cost us and then the crowd gets involved.
“We could have maintained our composure better, I thought we were rushing, but this is not an easy place to come and win, so great character and a good reaction to get the third goal.”
Ange Postecoglou (Feb 2022)
Eary in a second period in which Celtic instantly found a winner through Jota after being pegged back to 2-2 despite taking a two-goal lead into the interval, an Aberdeen supporter raced on to the field and made his way towards Celtic keeper Joe Hart with phone camera on. He then shouted the England keeper’s well-rehashed line “decent” at the 34-year-old – filming all the while with a clip he later posted online. Left everyone baffled.
Joebloggscity of thecelticwiki:
Relieved to win that match: Another ridiculously stressful match for Celtic following a patten of games after having taken the advantage. Celtic again losing goals from set pieces and Aberdeen can feel aggrieved they didn’t get a point from this match. Celtic had a fine goal wrongly chopped off which was frustrating, but then the analysts claim that Celtic’s winner had an offside element, rubbish.
Willie Collum under the cosh again. Aberdeen player lucky not to be sent off for challenge on Abada.
This is going to be a long stressful run to the end. Disappointing performances from some today but we got the three points. Must do better.
LGB of KDS:
Made it difficult due to 15/20 minutes of lapsed concentration and let them into it.
Taylor probably our shortest player marking Ferguson at his goal was stupid.
Collum doing his best to be the man of the match. He’s blatantly incompetent..so much so it’s scary.
Our 3rd goal was absolutely fine. Top of the league. Brilliant all round.
We win at Easter road this month then I think we will win it. Just a hunch.
Well done ange.
Liam Kelly @cfcliamk96:
Sky Sports neglect to mention Celtic being denied a perfectly good goal to make it 3-0 or Brown fouling Starfelt at Aberdeen’s goal,but did comment on the debate about our onside 3rd. Forgot to mention the dubious penalty at Ibrox too. Good synopsis from them
Teams
Celtic:
Formation 4-3-3
- 15Hart
- 56Ralston
- 20Carter-Vickers
- 4Starfelt
- 3Taylor
- 33O’Riley Substituted forRogicat 89′minutes
- 42McGregor
- 41Hatate Substituted forBittonat 76′minutes
- 11Abada Substituted forForrestat 89′minutes
- 38Maeda Substituted forGiakoumakisat 76′minutes
- 17Neves FilipeBooked at 61mins
Substitutes
- 5Scales
- 6Bitton
- 7Giakoumakis
- 16McCarthy
- 18Rogic
- 19Johnston
- 29Bain
- 49Forrest
- 57Welsh
Goals:
- Neves Filipe (16′ minutes, 62′ minutes),
- O’Riley (20′ minutes)
Assists:
- Ralston (62′ minutes)
Aberdeen
Formation 3-5-2
- 25Woods
- 2McCrorie
- 5GallagherBooked at 64mins
- 27BatesBooked at 49mins
- 22Ramsay Substituted forKennedyat 45′minutes
- 15McGeouch Substituted forOjoat 45′minutes
- 8Brown
- 19Ferguson
- 17Hayes
- 10Besuijen
- 9Ramírez
Substitutes
- 3MacKenzie
- 14Emmanuel-Thomas
- 16Ojo
- 20Jenks
- 28Ruth
- 29Barron
- 30Ritchie
- 33Kennedy
- 39Milne
Goals:
- Ramírez (56′ minutes),
- Ferguson (61′ minutes)
Assists:
- Ojo (56′ minutes, 61′ minutes)
Ref:William Collum
Att:
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
- Possession
- Home36%
- Away64%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away5
- Corners
- Home1
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away17
Articles
Celtic show a different side to them in Aberdeen – stretched to the limit and controversial moment
Struggling replaced the recent strolling for Celtic in an engrossing, see-saw encounter at Aberdeen.
By Andrew Smith
Wednesday, 9th February 2022, 10:09 pm
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-show-a-different-side-to-them-in-aberdeen-stretched-to-the-limit-and-controversial-moment-3561931
Yet the fact that Ange Postecoglou’s men could come out on top 3-2 at Pittodrie may actually encourage the cinch Premiership league leaders they have the purpose, as well as the panache, to retain that status in the final stage of the season.
The flair and fluency with which Celtic have richly entertained of late was in short supply in a sixth straight league success that extends their domestic unbeaten sequence to 24 games. Yet, ultimately their spirit was sufficiently willing. That said, the fates were also conspirators in allowing Jota to settle the contest with his second of the evening a matter of 62 seconds after Lewis Ferguson had headed in from a Funso Ojo cross to make it 2-2 after 61 minutes.
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Aberdeen and their supporters were apoplectic over the pivotal moments leading up to the Portuguese winger darting into the box and jabbing a shot into the ground that bounced up and into Gary Woods’ net. While the home defence caused themselves unnecessary issues by failing to deal with an Anthony Raston header launched into their domain, its route to the winger came with Liel Abada in an offside position and blocking off David Bates.
Celtic remain top of the cinch Premiership after defeating Aberdeen.
Celtic remain top of the cinch Premiership after defeating Aberdeen.
It wasn’t the first break in Celtic’s favour across the evening with their second goal, and a first for Matt O’Riley also involving Bates – inadvertently. A low shot from the Englishman looked to be going across goal and in a saveable direction for Woods, only for it to cannon off Bates and jag, pingball style, at right angles to whizz past the rooted keeper. It seemed Celtic could make merry then, with Woods four minutes earlier failing to cut out an angled cross flighted in from the right by O’Riley to allow Jota to smuggle in at the back post.
So devoid had been Glass’s men, there had to be double-takes as these same players – save for interval substitutes Matty Kennedy and Ojo, replacements for Dylan McGeouch and Calvin Ramsay – set about their visitors with a snarl and drive they could not muster at any point in a one sided-opening period.
They had threatened even before one of the Pittodrie team’s standard free-kick routines of sliding the ball low across the front of the box allowed Christian Ramirez to rifle into the corner of Joe Hart’s net. With their second, which made them only the third team to score twice against Celtic in the league this season, it appeared it was them that had all the momentum to push on for the winner.
Jota’s decisive strike was a punch to the guts but they never gave up on forcing the issue.
Jota taps home the opener for Celtic.
Jota taps home the opener for Celtic.
Little consolation, when they are now five league games without a win. And of little concern to Celtic. Stretched to the limit, in the final analysis, they came up with the answer required to a night that presented them posers that arrived in unexpected fashion. There are many ways to win. And while Postecoglou might always want to do so in style, even the Australian will recognise there must be occasions when it is simply a case of doing enough.
BBC
By Nick McPheatBBC Scotland
Last updated on
50 minutes ago50 minutes ago.From the section Scottish Premiership
Jota scores v Aberdeen
Jota’s controversial winner, just a minute after Aberdeen’s equaliser, settled a pulsating encounter
Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic continued their relentless form after surviving a spirited Aberdeen fightback in a breathless five-goal thriller.
Jota knocked in at the back post after poor home defending before Matt O’Riley’s deflected quickfire second put the away side firmly in command.
However, two goals in five second-half minutes from Christian Ramirez and Lewis Ferguson drew the hosts level.
But the visitors responded instantly as Jota drilled in a controversial winner.
Aberdeen players screamed for a flag from the assistant referee as Liel Abada, who was standing in an offside position, appeared to block centre-back David Bates in the build-up.
It is another massive win on the road for Ange Postecoglou’s title hopefuls, who are now 20 league games unbeaten.
Stephen Glass’ side, whose last Premiership victory came on Boxing Day, drop two places to ninth.
Reaction & as it happened
Celtic’s late victory at Pittodrie in October – a first away league win of the season after nearly eight months without one – was a colossal turning point in their campaign.
Four months on, Postecoglou – whose side have since dropped just four points from a possible 57 – will view this result in the same vein.
Aberdeen would have felt they managed the opening exchanges well, but within a blink of an eye they were two down.
O’Riley skipped past David Bates all too easily to bend a ball from the right to the back post. Home keeper Gary Woods and defender Calvin Ramsay looked placed to deal with it, but neither made contact with the ball, allowing Jota to knock in to an empty net.
Just three minutes later, Callum McGregor’s clipped pass was knocked down by Daizen Maeda to O’Riley, who drilled in his first Celtic goal from 20 yards via a big deflection off Bates.
Celtic were cruising at the break against an Aberdeen side that failed to test Joe Hart in a flat first-half showing, but the second-half whistle sparked a manic final 45 minutes.
Glass withdrew Ramsay and Dylan McGeouch for Funso Ojo and Matty Kennedy and the game turned. A well-worked wide free-kick was pulled across goal by Ojo to Ramirez, who finished low from close range with the Celtic defence napping.
Five minutes later, another Ojo set piece, this time from the right, was curled towards the near post for Ferguson to glance past Hart.
Bedlam in the home stands – but only for 64 seconds as Jota decided the game with a controversial effort, drilling a strike into the turf and beyond Woods after Anthony Ralston’s header looped over the defence.
Aberdeen were incensed at Abada’s involvement, both in the dugout and on the pitch, but they continued to rally as Ferguson diverted another close-range header towards goal, only for Hart to make a crucial stop.
Ferguson then bent a free-kick narrowly over before Ramirez had a side-foot finish from the edge of the area sail off target.
But Celtic would see the game out, benefitting from a slice of fortune that could be pivotal come May.
Man of the match – Jota
Jota
Regardless of whether the winger’s winner should have stood, the on-loan Benfica man was again at the heart of Celtic’s attacking play and his two goals at Pittodrie takes his tally into double figures this season
What did we learn?
If Celtic’s last two wins against Rangers and Motherwell made you forget about the steeliness Postecoglou has instilled in his side, this was a reminder.
The enormity of this result, and Jota’s contentious winner in particular, carries the same weight as Liam Boyce’s penalty miss away at Hearts a fortnight ago. Two games which Celtic might have drawn were wins. A four-point swing.
Aberdeen’s second-half comeback will tell you otherwise, but the idea Pittodrie is a hard place to go for the Old Firm is becoming tougher to back up.
Harsh or not after their second-half fightback, Aberdeen are now winless in their last 21 home league games against the Old Firm since a 2-1 victory over Rangers in September 2016.
Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie at Motherwell and the eight games before the league splits will define their season, and Glass needs second-half performances like this to translate to 90-minute showings, starting from this weekend.
What did they say?
Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass: “I’m disappointed not to come away with anything. First half, we didn’t get close enough to a good team, second half we put that right.
“From the side, Abada blocks Bates [for Jota’s winner]. That stops him defending. I think he’s offside as he does it. Even if he’s not, he’s still blocking a player. We continually get done for blocks even when they don’t happen.”
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou: “First half, we were really good, we controlled the game. Second half, we were okay, but set-pieces cost us and then the crowd gets involved.
“We could have maintained our composure better, I thought we were rushing, but this is not an easy place to come and win, so great character and a good reaction to get the third goal.”
Match ends, Aberdeen 2, Celtic 3.
90’+5′
Full Time
Second Half ends, Aberdeen 2, Celtic 3.
90’+3′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Callum McGregor tries a through ball, but Giorgos Giakoumakis is caught offside.
90’+1′
Post update
Attempt missed. Christian Ramírez (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Lewis Ferguson.
90′
Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
90′
Post update
Matthew Kennedy (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
90′
Post update
Attempt missed. Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
89′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. James Forrest replaces Liel Abada.
89′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Tomas Rogic replaces Matt O’Riley.
86′
Post update
Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86′
Post update
Foul by Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen).
85′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Cameron Carter-Vickers tries a through ball, but Liel Abada is caught offside.
84′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Carl Starfelt.
82′
Post update
Corner, Aberdeen. Conceded by Cameron Carter-Vickers.
80′
Post update
Offside, Celtic. Jota tries a through ball, but Callum McGregor is caught offside.
80′
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Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
80′
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Foul by Scott Brown (Aberdeen).
79′
Post update
Foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
79′
Post update
Declan Gallagher (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
78′
Post update
Offside, Aberdeen. David Bates tries a through ball, but Lewis Ferguson is caught offside.
78′
Post update
Foul by Giorgos Giakoumakis (Celtic).
78′
Post update
Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
76′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Nir Bitton replaces Reo Hatate.
76′
Substitution
Substitution, Celtic. Giorgos Giakoumakis replaces Daizen Maeda.
75′
Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
74′
Post update
Foul by Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic).
74′
Post update
Vicente Besuijen (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
73′
Post update
Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a through ball.
70′
Post update
Attempt missed. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Cameron Carter-Vickers following a corner.
70′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Declan Gallagher.
70′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt O’Riley with a through ball.
69′
Post update
Attempt saved. Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jonny Hayes.
68′
Post update
Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
68′
Post update
Foul by Funso Ojo (Aberdeen).
66′
Post update
Foul by Daizen Maeda (Celtic).
66′
Post update
David Bates (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the left wing.
66′
Post update
Attempt saved. Vicente Besuijen (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
65′
Post update
Foul by Jota (Celtic).
65′
Post update
Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
64′
Booking
Declan Gallagher (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
64′
Post update
Daizen Maeda (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
64′
Post update
Foul by Declan Gallagher (Aberdeen).
62′
Goal!
Goal! Aberdeen 2, Celtic 3. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Anthony Ralston with a headed pass.
61′
Goal!
Goal! Aberdeen 2, Celtic 2. Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) header from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Funso Ojo with a cross following a set piece situation.
61′
Booking
Jota (Celtic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
61′
Post update
Foul by Jota (Celtic).
61′
Post update
Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
58′
Post update
Offside, Aberdeen. Scott Brown tries a through ball, but Christian Ramírez is caught offside.
56′
Goal!
Goal! Aberdeen 1, Celtic 2. Christian Ramírez (Aberdeen) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Funso Ojo following a set piece situation.
55′
Post update
Hand ball by Callum McGregor (Celtic).
51′
Post update
Foul by Anthony Ralston (Celtic).
51′
Post update
Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50′
Post update
Attempt missed. Carl Starfelt (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left following a set piece situation.
49′
Booking
David Bates (Aberdeen) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
49′
Post update
Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
49′
Post update
Foul by David Bates (Aberdeen).
48′
Post update
Foul by Greg Taylor (Celtic).
48′
Post update
Matthew Kennedy (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Second Half
Second Half begins Aberdeen 0, Celtic 2.
45′
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Matthew Kennedy replaces Calvin Ramsay.
45′
Substitution
Substitution, Aberdeen. Funso Ojo replaces Dylan McGeouch.
45’+1′
Half Time
First Half ends, Aberdeen 0, Celtic 2.
45′
Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
45′
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
44′
Post update
Foul by Jota (Celtic).
44′
Post update
Calvin Ramsay (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
42′
Post update
Greg Taylor (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
42′
Post update
Foul by Vicente Besuijen (Aberdeen).
41′
Post update
Carl Starfelt (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
41′
Post update
Foul by Calvin Ramsay (Aberdeen).
39′
Post update
Attempt saved. Liel Abada (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Greg Taylor.
37′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jonny Hayes.
34′
Post update
Liel Abada (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
34′
Post update
Foul by Jonny Hayes (Aberdeen).
33′
Post update
Reo Hatate (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
33′
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Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen).
32′
Post update
Foul by Reo Hatate (Celtic).
32′
Post update
Calvin Ramsay (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
31′
Post update
Corner, Celtic. Conceded by David Bates.
29′
Post update
Foul by Reo Hatate (Celtic).
29′
Post update
Ross McCrorie (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
27′
Post update
Offside, Aberdeen. Gary Woods tries a through ball, but Vicente Besuijen is caught offside.
26′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liel Abada with a through ball.
24′
Post update
Attempt blocked. Christian Ramírez (Aberdeen) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Scott Brown.
20′
Goal!
Goal! Aberdeen 0, Celtic 2. Matt O’Riley (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
16′
Goal!
Goal! Aberdeen 0, Celtic 1. Jota (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal.
15′
Post update
Foul by Matt O’Riley (Celtic).
15′
Post update
Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
15′
Post update
Callum McGregor (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
15′
Post update
Foul by Scott Brown (Aberdeen).
14′
Post update
Dangerous play by Jota (Celtic).
14′
Post update
Scott Brown (Aberdeen) wins a free kick on the right wing.
13′
Post update
Attempt missed. Daizen Maeda (Celtic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Anthony Ralston with a cross.
10′
Post update
Attempt saved. Reo Hatate (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
10′
Post update
Matt O’Riley (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
10′
Post update
Foul by Lewis Ferguson (Aberdeen).
6′
Post update
Foul by Carl Starfelt (Celtic).
6′
Post update
Vicente Besuijen (Aberdeen) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Kick Off
First Half begins.
Posted at 19:4519:45
Post update
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.