SPFL boss under pressure ahead of Celtic Park encounter

By Euan Davidson

November 24, 2021

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller has said there’s huge pressure on the Dons ahead of their meeting with Celtic at the weekend.

The Bhoys host Aberdeen on Sunday, with the Dons coming off the back of two defeats, to Motherwell and Dundee United. That’s seen Stephen Glass’ side slide to eight in the Scottish Premiership [BBC].

It’s not inspiring form from Scott Brown’s new club. And Miller, who won the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Aberdeen in 1983, says that any pressure on the club is nobody else’s fault.

Miller said [Press and Journal]:

“The pressure is on Aberdeen’s manager, chairman and players after falling into the Premiership bottom six.

“All that pressure is self inflicted as Aberdeen must not be in the bottom half of the table.

“Aberdeen are now experiencing testing times after a disappointing defeat at Dundee United saw them drop to eighth in the Premiership. Now is the time to show they can all handle the heat that will inevitably come with Aberdeen sitting in the bottom six of the table.

“The Dons switched off at the back for seven minutes against ‘Well and were punished by conceding two goals in that period. Defence is an area that needs fixed, but Aberdeen also failed to score at Dundee United.

“It is the second successive game they have failed to find the back of the net. When you are leaking at the back and not scoring, it is a bad recipe.”

Don’t be fooled; Aberdeen will surely raise their game against Celtic

Our main rivals over the last decade, Aberdeen games have often been tricky encounters.

For the most recent example, you only need to look at our trip to Pittodrie in early October [Sky Sports]. Celtic were forced to work hard in the north east, against a Stephen Glass side who made life difficult.

However, Glass and Aberdeen have hardly impressed this season. The strong defensive units built by Derek McInnes over the last decade have given way.

That doesn’t mean they won’t still be a tough challenge for Ange Postecoglou and Celtic. If anything, they’ll be looking for a scalp to create some positive momentum. It’ll be panic stations for the Dons hierarchy if they’re still in the bottom six come Christmas.

Willie Miller makes good points, though. They’ve been leaky at the back and, crucially, haven’t been able to score goals. At the time of writing, they’ve scored half the number of Celtic’s goals this season, and have conceded 10 more.

A bad result for Aberdeen against Celtic probably wouldn’t be enough for Dave Cormack to act. However, he’ll know the pressure is on his side at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Read more: “Baffling”; Hibs have today continued their incessant moaning ahead of Celtic clash