Match Pictures | Matches: 2024 – 2025
Trivia
- KO: 20:00; Wednesday, Sky Sports TV; League Match 14
- First v Second in the league albeit after some recent poor form by Aberdeen already was a 4pt gap plus game in hand for Celtic.
- Celtic remain on top now on 40pts with game in hand & +37 GD, Aberdeen second on 33pts, Sevco after their win tonight on 29pts in 3rd. With Sevco trying to play catchup on Aberdeen, some humour that Sevco fans cheered when Celtic scored tonight!
- First ever full stadium display at Pittodrie, credit to their Ultras for fund raising and putting it together. Up until their recent drop in form this match was thought to be a key challenge match for the league title. However, much spoilt by the incredibly windy & wet torrid weather, which also heavily impacted the match & spectacle tonight.
- Bernardo starting after good recent run. Valle in for Taylor but then was substituted at half-time!
- Back-up Aberdeen keeper Ross Doohan in goal v his former club, Celtic.He spent 12 years Celtic (2010-2022) & didn’t make a senior app. The 26 y/o makes only his 2nd Aberdeen league start in a table-topping clash AGAINST Celtic. Regular Aberdeen keeper Mitov out for six weeks with an injury.
- Scottish Cup Fourth Round Draw, Celtic v Kilmarnock, Tie to be played weekend of 18th Jan.
- Report: Palma again linked to move to MLS in USA in January.
- Snooker legend Terry Griffiths passed away. RIP
- Scottish football’s historic ban on live televised football at 3pm on a Saturday, which dates back to the early 1960s, could be abolished by the end of the current decade. (Herald newspaper)
- James Forrest says he turned down an ambitious approach from former team-mate Scott Brown to join Ayr United.
- Leicester City considering terminating season-long loan deal for Crystal Palace’s Odsonne Edouard in Jan. His time down south since leaving Celtic has gone badly wrong.
- Report claims Daniel Cummings yet to receive offer of a contract extension with his deal expiring this summer.The 18 year old has 22 goals in 20 reserve matches this season.
Summary
@joebloggscity of thecelticwiki:
Without any intention of arrogance or hubris, this match was taken by some pre match as the last genuine hurdle for Celtic in the league title challenge, despite only just over a quarter of the season completed.
Celtic and Aberdeen have had some real tete a tetes this year, and up until the last few rounds, both sides were neck and neck in the race for the league title. However, Celtic with a far superior squad in depth had already ground out a four pt gap plus a game in hand. Sevco not even at the races.
So, win this game and it was just being honest to safely opine that the league title was going to remain at Celtic Park. That’s not to dispute the excellent form that Aberdeen had shown up till recently, albeit Celtic hammerred them in the league cup.
With Celtic winning 1-0 tonight despite an uninspiring victory in torrential windy & wet weather, the challenge for the league title is mostly now over. There’s not much to say about this match, with some very robust play from Aberdeen and some awful refereeing, but the conditions didn’t allow much football & especially crossing in the match. Cold weather and difficult conditions meant the score could have gone either way, and Aberdeen did have their opportunities. Although the best player for Aberdeen today was The Weather. Hatate late on the game was provided with a perfect assist from Taylor to shoot and slide the ball by the Aberdeen keeper, and provide Celtic with the full points.
Happy to win, and likely provides some respite to try to concentrate on Europe (a very rare luxury for Celtic). League Cup final v Sevco also upcoming.
fatboab of KDS:
Hugely significant win on one of the worst nights weather I’ve ever seen football played in.
The way we dug out the points on an impossible night for silky football should resonate with any of the pretenders to our Title. We can win ugly too.
Firstly , the goal. The best piece of football all night by some distance, a magnificent ball from Taylor and Hatate’s control and finish almost defied belief in those conditions . To get the ball under control and have the savvy to slice it with the outside of his left foot into the far corner was an utterly ridiculous piece of skill, and a perfect example of why those of us who adore the wee man can put up with the occasional brain fart.
Secondly, Cameron Carter Vickers was absolutely sensational in the second half and his block to divert their only attempt on target was out of this world. Looks like the rock is back on his best form.
Aberdeen? Thelin is giving them free rein to become Hun Mk 3 ( Mk 2 is already taken).
The significance of the first half bookings for Shinnie and Nilsson should not be underestimated as it nullified their brand of thuggery , at least until the final minute when the Scott Brown wannabe that is Graeme Shinnie should have received a second yellow but clearly benefited from Robertson thinking the sheep needed all hands on deck for added time.
Overall, a very difficult game for all the players, and very few shone , but we stuck to our job, played all of the ( little) football that was played on the night, and were rewarded with a superb goal and a fantastic three points.
We now have the kind of gap that suffocates our nearest challengers as they know they need every single point from every game.
A season defining game that made the eyes bleed at times, but we got there in the end.
33rpm of KDS: Was never going to be a free-flowing masterpiece in those conditions, against a team of thugs who haven’t lost at home since February. But it was a masterclass in Brendan Rodgers’ dominance of Scottish football. We never really looked troubled at all, and it always felt like it was just a matter of when we found the goal – which we inevitably did through our lynchpin. Going into December with 41 goals and only 4 conceded and dropping points in one game is truly exceptional form.
Inside The SPFL @AgentScotland · FT: Aberdeen 0-1 Celtic Huge win for the Champions in a winter war at Pittodrie, conditions made impossible for a decent game, but Celtic’s subs made the difference, Hatate with a brilliant winner from a clever Taylor pass, Dons don’t lose that against any other club in Scotland. That was Cameron Carter-Vickers’ best performance of the season tonight, IMO. The conditions didn’t faze him at all, he was imperious and just about held Trusty and Johnston together single handedly, that block at the end was as good as it gets, a true on field general, the best.
E-Tims @ETimsNet · FT Sheep 0 #Celtic 1 Celtic go 7 points clear with a game in hand. Bravo Dreadful weather conditions didn’t help but neither did only one team trying to play fitba with the other camped in their own half and fouling at every opportunity. Goal to win it was a beauty. Fully deserved. A ground out win, which you have to do some times. Bravo Celts
Teams
Celtic:
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Formation: 4 – 3 – 3
01 K. Schmeichel
11 Álex Valle 34′, Yellow Card at 34mins, subbed for G. Taylor at 46mins
06 A. Trusty
20 C. Carter-Vickers
02 A. Johnston
41 R. Hatate, subbed for A. Engels at 88mins
42 C. McGregor (c), Captain
28 Paulo Bernardo, subbed for L. McCowan at 66mins
38 D. Maeda, subbed for J. Forrest at 76mins
08 K. Furuhashi, subbed for A. Idah at 66mins
10 N. Kühn
Subs:
27 A. Engels
49 J. Forrest
09 A. Idah
14 L. McCowan
56 A. Ralston
05 L. Scales
12 V. Sinisalo
03 G. Taylor
13 Yang Hyun-Jun
Goals:
R. Hatate (78′)
Assists:
G. Taylor (78′)
Aberdeen:
Manager: Jimmy Thelin
Formation: 4 – 2 – 3 – 1
31 R. Doohan
15 J. McGarry, subbed for D. Polvara at 83mins
21 G. Molloy
33 S. Rubežić
02 N. Devlin
06 S. Heltne Nilsen 45’+4, Yellow Card at 45mins plus 4
04 G. Shinnie (c), Captain 41′, Yellow Card at 41mins
81 T. Keskinen, subbed for V. Besuijen at 72mins
07 J. McGrath, subbed for L. Clarkson at 72mins
11 Duk, subbed for S. Morris at 59mins
09 K. Nisbet 24′, Yellow Card at 24mins, subbed for E. Sokler at 59mins
Subs:
17 V. Besuijen
27 A. MacDonald
22 J. Milne
20 S. Morris
10 L. Clarkson
18 A. Palaversa
08 D. Polvara
25 T. Ritchie
19 E. Sokler
Match Officials
Referee Don Robertson
Video Assistant Referee Andrew Dallas
Assistant Referee 1 Frank Connor
Assistant Referee 2 David Roome
Fourth Official Iain Snedden
Assistant VAR Official Graeme Stewart
Attendance: 15,845.
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Stats
Overall Possession
Aberdeen 26.1% Celtic 73.9%
General
Shots
Aberdeen 8 Celtic 14
Shots on target
Aberdeen 4 Celtic 4
Shots off target
Aberdeen 3 Celtic 5
Blocked shots
Aberdeen 1 Celtic 5
Total touches in the box
Aberdeen 13 Celtic 35
Goalkeeper saves
Aberdeen 2 Celtic 3
Fouls
Aberdeen 12 Celtic 11
Corners
Aberdeen 2 Celtic 10
Stats upto this game:
Aberdeen are winless in 27 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D6 L21) since a 1-0 victory at Celtic Park in May 2018 under Derek McInnes.
Celtic are unbeaten in their last 15 away league games against Aberdeen (W12 D3) since a 2-1 defeat in February 2016 under Ronny Deila.
Aberdeen are currently enjoying a 10-game winning run at home in the Scottish Premiership, earning more points on home soil in the competition this season than any other side (21).
Celtic have won each of their last nine away league games, last winning 10 in a row on the road from April to November 2017 in Brendan Rodgers’ first spell in charge.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi has scored five goals in his last five league appearances against Aberdeen, while he registered a goal and assist against them in the 2-2 draw in October.
Celtic Match stats
▪️74% possession
▪️1.29 Total xG
▪️2 Big chances
▪️15 Total Shots/ 4 On Target
▪️11 Shots Inside the Box/ 4 Outside
▪️643 comp passes/ 745 Attempted
▪️59% of their Duels won
▪️4 Interceptions
▪️50 Recoveries
▪️35 Touches in Opp Penalty Area
Articles
Reo strike secures the points at Pittodrie
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/december/04/reo-strike-gives-celts-a-magnificent-seven-point-lead/
First Team
By Daylin Docherty
Share
04 Dec 2024, 10:03 pm
Scottish Premiership
Wednesday, December 4 2024
Pittodrie, Aberdeen
ABERDEEN…0
CELTIC…1
(Hatate 78)
Celtic overcame ferocious weather conditions and a determined Aberdeen side to claim a vital 1-0 victory at Pittodrie, with Reo Hatate’s composed finish in the second half securing the points.
The wind and rain howled around Pittodrie as the teams emerged from the tunnel to the booming sound of Hell’s Bells by AC/DC, accompanied by fireworks and theatrics. The stormy conditions set the stage for a frenetic and unpredictable contest in the north-east of Scotland.
The hosts were forced into an early scare just two minutes in when goalkeeper Ross Doohan clashed accidentally with Kyogo in the box. The former Celtic youth product, deputising for injured number one Dimitar Mitov, required lengthy treatment but was able to continue.
Aberdeen carved out the first clear opportunity of the night in the 10th minute. Duk’s effort was saved well by Kasper Schmeichel, but the rebound fell invitingly to Kevin Nisbet. The former Hibs striker, however, failed to capitalise, firing wide under pressure, a chance he will feel he should have done better with.
The wild weather began to wreak havoc on both teams’ attempts to control the game, with the wind making long passes and switches of play unpredictable. Celtic, looking to establish a foothold, created a half-chance in the 21st minute. Nicolas Kuhn found Callum McGregor in space, and the captain struck from distance, though his effort drifted harmlessly past Doohan’s post.
Celtic’s best chance of the half came in the 42nd minute. Paulo Bernardo delivered a pinpoint corner that found Alistair Johnston at the back post, but his header was heroically blocked by Jamie McGrath. The ensuing corner from Bernardo went directly into the net, but referee Don Robertson ruled it out for a foul on Doohan by Daizen Maeda.
The Hoops continued to press as the half drew to a close, and in stoppage time, Kyogo flicked on another Bernardo delivery, but Johnston was just unable to get a decisive touch.
26%
Possession
74%
8
Shots
15
4
Shots On Target
4
2
Corners
10
12
Fouls
11
3
0
Cards
1
0
Celtic resumed their search for a breakthrough, but the conditions remained a formidable opponent. In the 55th minute, Nicolas Kuhn attempted an audacious lofted shot from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed just over Doohan’s crossbar.
Aberdeen appealed for a penalty in the 57th minute when Duk got past Greg Taylor, who had replaced Valle at half-time, and went to ground in the box. However, the referee waved play on, deeming the forward to have lost control of the ball before falling.
Brendan Rodgers made changes in the 65th minute, introducing Adam Idah and Luke McCowan for Kyogo and Bernardo in an attempt to spark the attack. The substitutes nearly made an instant impact five minutes later. McCowan’s clever play set up Idah inside the box, but the Irishman couldn’t get his shot away. The loose ball fell to Alistair Johnston, whose two shots were heroically blocked by Slobodan Rubezic and Graeme Shinnie, before Reo Hatate’s follow-up was palmed away by Doohan.
Celtic continued to push, and in the 75th minute, McCowan again provided a moment of brilliance, checking back before delivering a pinpoint cross to Idah. The striker’s header looked destined for the net, but Doohan produced a stunning save to deny his former club once more.
Aberdeen came close at the other end moments later when Auston Trusty lost possession. The ball fell to Jamie McGrath inside the box, but his dragged effort failed to test Schmeichel—a big let-off for the visitors.
Celtic finally found the decisive moment in the 78th minute. Greg Taylor, involved heavily since his introduction, clipped a precise ball into the box. Reo Hatate controlled it expertly on his chest before calmly slotting past Doohan with his left foot, marking his fourth goal of the season and sending the traveling Hoops fans into raptures.
Aberdeen had one final chance to salvage a point in the 85th minute. Sokler found himself with a clear sight of goal after a deflection off Trusty, but Carter-Vickers produced a heroic block to divert the shot over the bar, preserving Celtic’s clean sheet.
The win extends Celtic’s lead at the top of the Premiership to seven points over their nearest challengers and 11 points clear of their city rivals. Brendan Rodgers’ men showed immense character and determination to overcome the difficult conditions and a stubborn Aberdeen side in a vital December fixture.
Aberdeen: Doohan, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, McGarry (Polvara 83′), Shinnie, Heltne Nilsen, Duk (Morris 59′), McGrath (Clarkson 72′), Keskinen (Besuijen 72′), Nisbet (Sokler 59′)
Subs: Polvara, Clarkson, Besuijen, Palaversa, Sokler, Morris, Milne, Ritchie, MacDonald
Celtic: Schmeichel, Alistair Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Valle (Taylor 45′), Paulo Bernardo (McCowan 66′), McGregor, Hatate (Engels 88′), Kühn, Kyogo (Idah 66′), Maeda (Forrest 76′)
Subs: Taylor, Scales, Idah, Sinisalo, Hyunjun Yang, McCowan, Engels, Forrest, Ralston
Celtic champions elect after goal fit to clinch title but neutrals left cheated by Aberdeen showdown
Alan Pattullo
By Alan Pattullo
Specialist Sports Writer
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-champions-elect-after-goal-fit-to-clinch-title-but-neutrals-left-cheated-by-aberdeen-showdown-4896379
Comments
Published 4th Dec 2024, 22:51 GMT
Updated 5th Dec 2024, 00:21 GMT
Top of the table clash ruined as spectacle
In decidedly unMay-like conditions Celtic posted a result that felt as if we had arrived at the business end of the season already. Their fans certainly believe so.
“We shall not be moved!” they sang at the end though that might have been a reference to the frostbite that had surely long set in. The weather was getting worse when Reo Hatate distinguished himself with some skill that was not in keeping with the rest of the game’s output to secure all three points for Celtic.
Visitors’ defender Cameron Carter-Vickers deserves credit too for a late block to deny substitute Ester Sokler. Leighton Clarkson will also wonder ‘what if?’ after he screwed the ball wide following a late break. A point-a-piece might have been fair on a night when medals should have been awarded to all participants who braved the elements, including – indeed, chiefly – the supporters.
Celtic’s Reo Hatate scores to seal a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)
Celtic’s Reo Hatate scores to seal a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group) | SNS Group
The visitors left the happier, as they celebrated their side taking a seven-point lead in the championship race. Brendan Rodgers’ team also have a game in hand.
As for the neutral, we felt somewhat cheated. What a shame this top of the league clash wasn’t being played in May, or at any time when there was not incessant, driving rain and what felt like a force ten gale blowing in off the North Sea. No sensible review of the game can neglect to factor in the conditions and lament the impact they had on the entertainment value. The fact both these teams toiled in front of goal having scored in every league match to date said it all.
Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan was a large part of the reason why Celtic were kept at bay for so long. The ‘keeper, who started his career at Celtic, answered any pre-match doubts with a superb performance despite picking up a concerning looking knock early on following a clash with Kyogo Furuhashi. He touched a shot from Hatate past the post with 20 minutes left and then exceeded that with a thrilling dive to keep a header from Adam Idah out.
SNS Group
Despite the weather, the decibel-level was ratcheted right up for this meeting of first v second. Fireworks – officially ratified ones, from the pitch rather than fired indiscriminately from stands – exploded into the air and made a mockery of attempts to play this down as just another game, just another three points.
Something was always going to give – Celtic have a perfect record away from home domestically while Aberdeen have won very every match at Pittodrie under Jimmy Thelin. And give it did. Celtic look unstoppable. Taking maximum points from such a tricky fixture in such exacting circumstances looks very ominous indeed for their rivals, if Aberdeen – and Rangers – can still be termed as such.
While the game had been eagerly anticipated, there’s little players, whether in-form or otherwise, can do when faced with such wild conditions. It was an effort to keep the ball in play sometimes. Kyogo caught Doohan early on, after a through ball that had been carried on the wind. Suddenly all eyes were on the Aberdeen bench, where Tom Ritchie, recently of Bonnyrigg Rose was sitting. He has been recalled from his loan spell following Dimitar Mitov’s injury and was now sitting strapping on his gloves. Happily for Doohan, who is seeking to make the most of Mitov’s absence, he was able to continue. Kyogo, to be fair, stayed with him throughout as he was being treated and looked genuinely concerned.
Aberdeen physios and Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi check on an injured Ross Doohan. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Aberdeen physios and Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi check on an injured Ross Doohan. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group
The stoppage so soon after kick-off did not do the players’ muscles much good but they soon picked up the pace again, with the hosts threatening first. Duk looked to be in the mood and latched on to a long ball over Alex Valle from Sivert Heltne Nilsen before testing Kasper Schmeichel, who saved with his legs. Kevin Nisbet’s effort from the rebound was well wide.
It was a scrappy opening 45 minutes, though this was hardly unexpected. With Celtic forcing Aberdeen back the longer the half wore on. A series of corners just before the interval saw a header from Alistair Johnston cleared off the line by Jamie McGrath. On another occasion, Paulo Bernardo’s delivery from the corner flag flew straight in but the goal was quickly ruled out for a push on Doohan.
The Portuguese midfielder looked the player most likely to make the breakthrough. Aberdeen had to watch him carefully but that left space for Nicolas Kuhn, who saw a shot curl just over ten minutes into the second half. Celtic upped the ante and got their reward when substitute Greg Taylor picked out a run from Hatate, who was being played onside by Nicky Devlin. The midfielder brought the ball down with his chest before steering into the far corner. Such poise seemed fitting for a title-winning goal, which is what many are now interpreting it as.
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cwy9y2g0vdrt?page=7
George O’Neill
BBC Sport Scotland
Reo Hatate’s late goal was enough for Celtic to beat closest challengers Aberdeen on a wet and windy night at Pittodrie and move seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
In a tight first half, chances were few and far between as tackles flew in and the conditions hampered both sides in the final third.
Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes had a low shot saved by Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, while Alistair Johnston’s header was turned round the post at the other end by the midriff of Jamie McGrath.
Paulo Bernardo sent a wind-assisted corner sailing directly into the far corner of the net, but it was disallowed for a foul on Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan.
Celtic dominated possession after the break, but were repelled time and again by heroic Aberdeen defending, led by Slobodan Rubezic.
However, with time running out, a delightful pass over the top from Greg Taylor found Hatate, and the Japan midfielder rifled a shot into the bottom corner in what could already be a telling blow in the race for the title.
Ester Sokler had a big chance for the hosts to equalise soon after, but his shot was brilliantly blocked over the bar by Cameron Carter-Vickers after Auston Trusty scuffed his clearance.
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Celtic show champion quality
For large stages at Pittodrie, Celtic were frustrated by both the weather and the stubborn Aberdeen defence. Cross after cross was cleared and the wind made the champions’ usual sharp passing play a struggle.
Champion teams find a way though, and that is certainly what Celtic are under Brendan Rodgers.
They continued to push players forward, and continued to dial up the pressure on the home side.
Johnston saw two successive goal-bound shots blocked before Hatate’s effort was well saved by Doohan, and substitute Adam Idah’s header looked destined for the corner until Doohan sprung away to his right.
Taylor’s pass was the moment of quality Celtic needed – a brilliant pick-out from the Scotland international, and Hatate – played onside by Nicky Devlin – nervelessly beat Doohan.
Not only are Celtic seven points clear of second-placed Aberdeen with a game in hand, they are 11 points above rivals Rangers. Although it seems strange to say with 28 games still to play, Rodgers’ side already have one hand on the Premiership trophy.
Dons show mettle again but winless run continues
The past four games have been a real struggle for Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen. Three games on the road produced just two points – a defeat in Paisley, before two draws in the capital.
However, back in front of their own fans, they stood up to both their opponents and the conditions superbly.
They played with intensity and bite in the first half, and had a threat in behind through Duk in particular.
It was their defensive structure and a willingness to put bodies on the line that stood out after the break, with Rubezic alone making seven clearances.
Leighton Clarkson scuffed a good effort wide after nice play down the right from Vicente Besuijen and Shayden Morris, but Sokler’s chance was the big moment for Thelin’s side to take points off the champions.
Yes, it flew over the top, but the way Aberdeen fought and went toe-to-toe with Celtic at times will hugely encourage both Thelin and the club’s fans.
Play with that spirit and effort and their winless run will be over sooner rather than later.