Leighton Clarkson shares how Aberdeen will approach Celtic battle after recent Hampden thrashing

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Celtic continue their Scottish Premiership campaign tomorrow as the Bhoys prepare to face Aberdeen in another much-anticipated clash at Pittodrie.

Since the Dons’ rise to prominence this term under Jimmy Thelin, there has been plenty of media coverage surrounding his side and their potential to challenge Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Nevertheless, three matches without a victory have left Aberdeen four points behind Celtic, while they have also played a game more at this stage in the Scottish Premiership season.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	13	12	1	0	40	4	36	37
2	AberdeenAberdeen	14	10	3	1	29	16	13	33
3	RangersRangers	13	8	2	3	18	9	9	26
4	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	14	6	5	3	21	14	7	23

The Bhoys also hold a superior goal difference of 23. Should the visitors claim victory in the North East tomorrow night, they would move seven clear as the composition of the campaign takes shape.

Now, Leighton Clarkson has shared how Aberdeen are feeling as Celtic bid to maintain their excellent momentum at Pittodrie.

Leighton Clarkson on Aberdeen’s challenge of facing Celtic

Speaking to Press & Journal, Clarkson has revealed that Aberdeen cannot afford to show any fear despite Celtic’s 6-0 thrashing of the Dons at Hampden in late October.

He stated: “We can’t fear them. Before the 6-0 at Hampden, we had a decent record against Celtic by drawing the last three games.

“We’ll give them total respect, but we’ll be going out and looking to perform to the best of our ability – and trying to take the three points.”

Later, he added: “I felt at Hampden we were a bit passive and Celtic have got really good players. When you give them half a yard, they can punish you and they did. It’s happened, but that 6-0 loss is in the past now. We look forward.

“In the games since then, the spirit’s always been there. The fight’s always been there. You saw it at the end against Hearts. We’ve got that real togetherness in the squad still. We need to be at it on Wednesday.”

Celtic will take confidence from excellent recent momentum

On the face of it, Celtic have no reason to fear a trip to Pittodrie as they remain the only unbeaten side in this campaign’s Scottish Premiership.

Last weekend, the Bhoys crushed Ross County 5-0 in a match where they were able to take their foot off the gas in the second half, rotating the squad ahead of their trip to the North East tomorrow evening.

With three important points at stake, Celtic could find themselves in an excellent position should they manage to find a way past Thelin’s Dons.

Brendan Rodgers will aim to show his teeth against Aberdeen, which is something he has never had too much problems in doing if past evidence is anything to go by.