My first match at Pittodrie

By: Ian Rose | August 19th, 2007

Not a great one to be in the home stands for, but nonetheless, a great trip to a great stadium. I’m sure JT will be on later with a Celtic update on the match, but I thought I’d give the Aberdeen perspective. Dons started well, owning the pitch for about the first 20 minutes, and capitalizing well on their efforts with a Craig Brewster strike in the 23rd, and went into the half with a deserved 1-0 lead. The second half, though, as it so often is when playing the Old Firm, was a different matter entirely. From the opening kick, there was more determination in the Celtic side. Massimo Donati equalized at an hour in, and the pace of the match was clearly on the Bhoys’ side. Kenny Miller scored a late brace, and had Reds fans heading out early. 3-1 to Celtic. Another thing on the side of the Hoops, and I feel I can say this as a neutral fan, was the refereeing. There were some absolutely dreadful calls against Aberdeen in this match. I am in no way claiming that Celtic don’t deserve this win. They owned the second half. But every time a Tim fell down, it was a free kick, regardless of the minor question of whether anyone touched him. The same could not be said of a Don. I’m frankly surprised that Nakamura didn’t get one in this match - he was certainly handed some great chances. Still, good win for Celtic, and one they really needed considering Rangers’ form. Aberdeen has only one point, from last week’s home draw with Hearts, in three matches.

On a separate fair play note, there was an incident midway through the second half in which Celtic continued to play with a man clearly down and even as he was starting to be attended to. This is never something you like to see any team do, especially one with a lead. I don’t have the name of the specific players that were responsible, and I don’t blame the whole side, since many Celts were standing back, as they should, expecting their mates to kick the ball out. Still, whoever it was, bad form.

Celtic are now second and the league table looks, once again, like an SPL league table. Old Firm, 1 and 2. More surprising are Hearts and Aberdeen in the 9 and 10 spots, respectively.