Ange Postecoglou said after Thursday’s 0-4 battering from Bayer Leverkusen that the pain in the dressing room would be used to fuel getting a result today at Pittodrie. Let’s hope he’s right as Celtic are still looking for their first domestic victory on the road this season.

It sounds crazy in my head before I type this but there were positives from Thursday’s defeat. The most obvious ones were the return of Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi who could have easily had 2/3 goals but for the narrowest of margins and a brilliant goalkeeping performance.

The return of club captain Callum McGregor is also a major plus, James McCarthy looks miles off it. A lot will be made of McGregor and Scott Brown today, hopefully, it will be a case of the student becoming the master.

Giorgos Giakoumakis came on to make his debut in the second half against Bayer and he could also be in contention for a start with Rogic and Turnbull looking like a bad combo.

Despite the above trio returning big Ange will still be without Josip Juranovic, James Forrest, Greg Taylor and Christopher Jullien. We think Mikey Johnstone has recovered from a niggle.

The Dons have their own problems and are without midfielder Teddy Jenks as he serves a suspension following his red card last weekend. Marley Watkins is set to remain on the sidelines after missing the last two matches with a hamstring injury. Andy Considine is out until the turn of the year following knee surgery.

With the teams just announced, this is how Celtic line-up today:

The real story with that line-up is that Nir Bitton starts. In fairness, I can see why, Celtic were missing a defensive midfielder on Thursday night and even against Dundee United, Ange is obviously looking to restrict the ease at which teams are getting into the Celtic box. But is Bitton the man?

The rest of the team is as you were and it is Rogic who makes way.

  • Aberdeen has only won one of their last 20 league meetings with Celtic (D3 L16), a 1-0 victory in May 2018 thanks to Andrew Considine’s winner.
  • Celtic are unbeaten in 10 away league trips to Aberdeen (W8 D2) since a 2-1 loss in February 2016 under Ronny Deila.
  • Aberdeen have lost their last three Scottish Premiership matches, last losing more consecutively in the top flight in April 2011 (5).
  • Celtic have lost their last three away Scottish Premiership matches, their worst away losing league run since April 2000 under Kenny Dalglish (also three in a row).

2 COMMENTS

  1. Well Celtic will certainly be slowing down with bitton in midfield and Aberdeen can expect a lot of the ball cos his pass rate to his team mates is as bad as I have seen in a Celtic strip ! I can only hope that the bhoys up front can put the ball in the net. However, I know that the midfield hasn’t been functioning well and personally I feel the 2 central defenders are left too exposed and often far too wide. So maybe it will work better in terms of protection for the defence. Who knows ? Hope springs eternal with Celtic !

  2. It is a sorry day when hope is a main part of your strategy. Bitton is well passed his best. But McCarthy and Rogic have been awful in recent games and changes were necessary. Turnbull has been rubbish as well and maybe Moffat could have been brought in. Looks a poor team. Couple of good players but we will continue to struggle with the numbers of below standard individuals.

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