Match

Celtic inexplicable collapse prevented by VAR as Aberdeen show mettle – 3 things we learned

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Celtic have bulldozed opponents this season after going ahead early on.

This afternoon’s clash against Aberdeen, however, went against the grain.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had a comfortable 2-0 lead at Parkhead thanks to a stunning team goal scored by Reo Hatate and then a slick Kyogo finish.

The opener in particular, slotted home for Hatate’s third of the season, was a beauty.

Arne Engels’ sweeping pass forward found Kyogo’s darting run down the right-hand side and the striker found his compatriot to lash home with a deft left-footed finish.

Celtic v Falkirk - Premier Sports Cup Quarter Final
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

It was the type of goal the squad have become known for and set them on their way for what should have been a routine victory. One we’ve seen a million times before.

When Kyogo drilled in a second, it seemed all the more comfortable.

What happened in the second-half, though, is as inexplicable as we’ve seen at Parkhead.

The league champions did not start with the same intensity.

And they were pegged back within five minutes of the restart when Ester Sokler took advantage of some poor defending to slot home beyond Kasper Schmeichel.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 CelticCeltic7 7 0 0 22 1 21 21
2 AberdeenAberdeen7 7 0 0 15 6 9 21
3 RangersRangers7 5 1 1 12 4 8 16
4 MotherwellMotherwell7 4 1 2 11 8 3 13
5 Dundee UtdDundee Utd7 3 3 1 10 7 3 12
6 ST MirrenST Mirren8 2 2 4 11 14 -3 8
7 Ross CountyRoss County8 1 4 3 8 14 -6 7
8 DundeeDundee7 1 3 3 12 14 -2 6
9 KilmarnockKilmarnock7 1 3 3 9 17 -8 6
10 HibernianHibernian7 1 2 4 6 11 -5 5
11 ST JohnstoneST Johnstone8 1 1 6 8 19 -11 4
12 Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian8 0 2 6 6 15 -9 2

Daizen Maeda then sold the jerseys with a baffling pass which only resulted in finding Dons midfielder Jamie McGrath who teed up a teammate to eventually see Graeme Shinnie’s deflected effort find the roof of the Celtic net.

Rodgers watched as VAR let his side off the hook after Aberdeen had netted a third and Celts were lucky. Albeit it was a definite Duk handball.

Here 67 Hail Hail takes a closer look at what we learned from what was an enthralling afternoon in Glasgow.

Reo Hatate put on a show in the midfield

The man in the engine room has not been at his best this season so far, it must be said.

This afternoon, though, he was unplayable. His range of passing has always been one of his main qualities and he showed it off today.

His desire, though, was what shone through and his goal was so well taken. Fans will hope he is back to his best with some major games to come and his confidence will certainly have been given a boost.

Celtic defensive issues in the second-half

The two halves of football were completely different, it felt, with Celts looking bereft of confidence after Sokler’s strike.

It appeared to spook the players and when Shinnie netted his second goal, it honestly looked like it had been coming.

Again, from a corner there were issues and Duk’s handball was all that prevented Aberdeen from taking what seemed an inevitable lead considering how the second-half had gone.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was missed

The big American is still nursing an injury albeit he was back in training but Rodgers did not want to risk him.

Understandably so with big games coming and the defender’s long-term career the most important thing.

But his composure and defensive positioning and aerial dominance was a big loss and simply his calmness at the back would perhaps have kept things tighter at the back.