Another one of those performances that perfectly encapsulates everything about this season as we just about managed not to throw away a 3 goal lead to mathematically secure the title. The Hoops were the better team but displayed the kind of defensive frailties and attacking ineffectiveness that should leave Aberdeen kicking themselves.
Ronny did his chances of signing-off in style against the Dons no harm by dropping Kazim-Richards in favour of Armstrong, someone who is capable of actually kicking the round thing. The inclusion of Rogić and McGregor was also a very positive sign.
It was a fairly competent first 15 minutes before Roberts lit up the match with a scorcher then added a composed second just before the break. Can’t argue with his goalscoring feats of late and he showed much better awareness of his team mates in this match too.
The sheep weren’t much of an attacking threat without Rooney, and Sviatchenko and Mulgrew had a solid first half.
Half-time arrived without much incident or opposition and it seemed logical for Ronny to go for the jugular, set-up for a few more goals and seal the title with a thumping win to really get the fans in the mood for a party.
And it looked as though that was exactly the plan when Lustig turned in McGregor’s pass for a well-deserved goal just after half-time. However, Efe Ambrose had been introduced at the break for the injured Mulgrew. Cue absolute pandemonium in the back four.
Johnny Hayes isn’t one to pass up the chance to whip in a decent delivery and Efe just couldn’t handle it. Every single Aberdeen player must have fancied their chances when the Irishman pinged it in anywhere near the Nigerian.
McGinn got Aberdeen’s first and all of a sudden, just as Aberdeen decided to make some kind of contest out of this match, Celtic crumbled.
Corner after corner had the fans squirming in their seats. It was inevitable that Considine would make this game interesting when he headed in their second from a ridiculous free-kick.
But it was another case of the opposition letting Celtic off. We saw it out in the end, but this was not the most stylish way to wrap up a title.
Showed why we are the best, but also why there is so much work to be done.
Player Ratings:
Gordon 7 – A couple of absolutely brilliant saves and looked ever-reliable. Could have been more commanding at set-pieces but can’t complain.
Lustig 7 – Superb performance from the Swede. Got forward to good effect and did his defensive work well.
Mulgrew 6 – Looked to be forming a very convincing partnership with Sviatchenko before injury forced his replacement at half-time.
Sviatchenko 6 – Another good performance but you can’t help but feel he was made to look a lot more incompetent in the second-half by Ambrose.
Tierney 7 – Just keeps on turning out the impressive performances.
McGregor 7 – Worked hard but also had the necessary quality on the ball. Assured passing and fantastic skill to set up Lustig. Should be in that position every week given Brown’s recent form.
Bitton 5 – Didn’t look bad but just seemed generally uninterested and ineffective. Didn’t do enough defensively and didn’t link up the play to the forwards. Quite lukewarm.
Armstrong 6 – Made good on his start and was certainly refreshing to see him picked ahead of Kazim-Richards. Offered much more than the Turk even if he’s still trying to find his form again. Undeniable ability and showed glimpses of it.
Rogić 6 – A fairly quiet game but he’s always reliable and a real bit of quality in behind the striker. Superb work to set up Rogić.
Griffiths 6 – Another solid game. Wasn’t able to find himself in too many goalscoring positions but still looked lively around the box.
Subs:
Ambrose 3 – Putting him into the centre of this Celtic defence is a bit like trying to pull out the entire bottom row on a jenga tower in one turn. Totally inept and couldn’t have had more of a negative effect if he tried.
Janko 4 – Showed very little but didn’t drastically effect the balance of the team. Gave away a brainless foul on Shinnie late on.
Johansen N/A
Tommybhoy
Above: Three visitors arrested under the Offensive Baaah-haviour at Football Act.
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