Now that the top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeen concluded with a draw, attention has turned to whether or not Jimmy Thelin’s side can challenge for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title.
Aberdeen have been resurgent under the Swede this season and now that The Dons earned a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park, talk is now turning to whether or not they can be taken seriously as opposition to Celtic’s defence of their title.
Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers believes that it’s still too early in the season to consider Thelin’s side as title contenders despite their unbeaten start to the league.
And reflecting after the match, Chris Sutton has told Robbie Savage who he believes will now win the Scottish Premiership after Celtic drew with Aberdeen yesterday.
Chris Sutton believes Celtic will still win the Scottish Premiership
Speaking after the game Savage asked Sutton on BBC 606, “Well, you don’t think they can win it, Chris? You don’t think Aberdeen can win the league?
Sutton replied, “I think Celtic will win the league, but listen, Rob, you’re not as familiar with Scottish football as I am.
“The whole Aberdeen story, the size of the club where Aberdeen were last season, bottom half finish, for this guy to come in and to get a tune out of the team, Rob, and bearing in mind they sold the best player, Miovski, for £7m, who scored a barrow load of goals for them last season.”
“For him to come in [Jimmy Thelin] and do the job that he’s done and give this belief that Aberdeen can actually challenge at the top end.”
Sutton says Aberdeen are ‘serious contenders’ for Celtic’s title
Whilst Sutton is confident that Celtic will retain the league, he makes no bones about the fact that Aberdeen must be taken seriously this season.
Sutton continued, “Celtic have the biggest budget when they go into European competition, of course. You know, people talk about the smaller budget.
“But do you know what, Rob? I’m absolutely delighted for Aberdeen because they are a big club. They started the season strongly, but everybody was looking at this game, the acid test, 2-0 down.
“I mean, what courage from the manager to make those changes and come back. And by all accounts, I’ve spoken to a couple of people who were at the game. I think there was over 10 minutes of injury time and Aberdeen had a goal disallowed.
“They could have nicked it, created chances, Celtic had other chances. What a game. And it’s brilliant, Rob, for Scottish football.
“It’s not just Celtic and Rangers at the moment. Aberdeen are serious contenders.”
With just eight games gone, it’s definitely too early to make a call on Aberdeen being a challenger to Celtic for the league.
The Pittodrie club are looking good but as every Celtic fan knows, nothing is won in October and there is still the hectic Christmas schedule to get through.
Aberdeen’s squad depth will be seriously tested this season and if they can avoid any further serious injuries then who knows what could happen.
Whilst no one at Celtic will take anything for granted, Brendan Rodgers and the team will still be confident that they will be victorious and the league trophy will still be sitting in the Celtic Park trophy cabinet come the end of the season.
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