After sweeping aside Ross County in the first half on Saturday afternoon, Celtic’s attention turns to current closest title challengers Aberdeen.
The Hoops travel to Pittodrie on Wednesday night, aiming to shed more daylight between themselves and the Dons.
Currently, Brendan Rodgers’ men are four points clear of Aberdeen with a game in hand. Victory in the northeast this midweek would only extend their advantage.
Although Jimmy Thelin has done a terrific job in the Granite City so far, his side has struggled recently. They have won just one game since Celtic thumped them 6-0 in the League Cup semi-final a month ago.
Yesterday, they faced Hearts at Tynecastle. While Leighton Clarkson gave them a first-half lead, Nicky Devlin’s own goal drew the Jambos level. The game petered out and finished 1-1, but Thelin was forced into a surprising change at the break.
Usually reliable ‘keeper Dimitar Mitov, who has widely impressed for the Dons this season after joining them from St. Johnstone in the summer, had to be withdrawn through injury.
He was replaced by former Celtic academy kid Ross Doohan, who made only his fourth Aberdeen appearance.
Post-match, Thelin provided a coy update on Mitov’s condition: “Let’s see tomorrow, we need to make a real check on him first, but he couldn’t keep playing so we needed to change him,” he said (RecordSport).
“I want them to see exactly what it is first before I say something. Let’s see, but the good thing was Ross [Doohan] came in and did really well, and he looked really prepared, so we have a good squad.”
Doohan’s first Aberdeen start of the season could well come against the team he started his career at.
The now 26-year-old never made a senior Celtic appearance but will look to make a slight dent in their title hopes should he get the nod on Wednesday.
