Today marks a real test for Celtic in the defence of the title. A trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen beckons and the Hoops will need to be bang at it if they are to take all three points back to Glasgow.
Aberdeen have found a new lease of life under Barry Robson and although they drew a blank on their opening fixture against Livingston, they will still prove a difficult opponent this lunchtime.
The last time Celtic faced The Dons at Pittodrie, it was a turgid affair as Jim Goodwin’s men parked the bus and tried to stifle a draw. Callum McGregor‘s late strike in the 1-0 took the points and Goodwin faced huge criticism for the way he set up against the Hoops.
But it seems that it is going to be so much different this time according to Aberdeen full-back, Nicky Devlin. The 29-year-old has set out his team’s intentions for the lunchtime kick-off and it seems that there will be no repeat of last season’s defensive showing the last time Celtic came visiting.
Devlin said [Press & Journal], “We have to play the way the manager has recruited. He wants us to play forward and at a fast tempo.
“The big thing the manager stressed is that he brought in players to play that way and not to sit behind the ball for the opposition to score against us.
“We have players who want to play on the front foot and want to be aggressive. Players who want to win the ball back and to play
“Regardless of the XI the manager picks, we all buy into the way he wants to do things. That will be important on Sunday.”
Aberdeen’s gameplan could play into Brendan Rodgers’ hands
There are two things that can happen today if Aberdeen stick to that game plan. One, it will lead to an exciting game with plenty of goals as Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic enjoys playing the same style of attacking football.
But secondly, and probably most importantly, if The Dons do come at us and attack, it will leave gaps in their defence that Celtic will expose.
We have players in our squad that are excellent on the counter-attack and clinical with it. Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi have proven time and again that if you give them an inch in the final third, they will take a mile.
And let’s not forget the vision of Reo Hatate (if selected) and Matt O’Riley. Both players can open up space for the Celtic front three with their passing and creative abilities.
If Aberdeen do decide to have a go at Celtic they will need to ensure they are disciplined at the back or it could be a long afternoon for Barry Robson’s men.
In other news, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers set to keep Aberdeen waiting
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