“We respect them”; Aberdeen boss wary of Celtic’s attacking threats

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Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin is hoping to take inspiration from his old side, St Mirren, from their victory over Celtic earlier in the season.

However, the 41-year-old is still extremely wary of the threat that Ange Postecoglou’s side can pose going forward.

The Dons welcome Celtic to Pittodrie this weekend, with the competitive top-flight action in Scotland finally getting back underway.

Both Celtic and Aberdeen have enjoyed good starts to the season, with the two teams sitting 1st and 3rd in the table, respectively.

Jim Goodwin has taken his new-look side into the Europa League play-off place and will be aiming to see them become more consistent in the second half of the campaign.

Whereas Postecoglou and his squad have been on fine domestic form, winning 14 out of their 15 and sit nine points clear at the top of the league.

That one defeat came at an earlier stage in the campaign when Goodwin’s former club as a manager and player, St Mirren, produced a shock result in Paisley.

Going into this weekend’s game, the Irishman is hoping to take some inspiration from his old team as he talked up Aberdeen’s home form between August and November.

However, although Goodwin believes his side can put up a good fight, he is still very wary of the threat that this Celtic side can pose to anyone.

He said [Aberdeen Live]: “The first two fixtures are as difficult as they can get because they are the top two teams in the country at the moment. Celtic have only had one defeat all season up until now against St Mirren away from home, so we’ve got to take a little bit of encouragement from that result.

“I thought St Mirren’s game plan on the day was excellent, I thought they frustrated Celtic for large periods and deservedly won the game. What that proves is that they can be beaten if you get a number of things right on the day.

“We respect them as an opposition, they’re a very good side, and they’ve scored in excess of 50 goals this season already. But our home form has been excellent, and won six out of seven league games at Pittodrie.

“We’ve scored the same amount of goals, I think, as Celtic and Rangers have done at home as well. Our defensive record which is something people have been quick to point the finger at us, and deservedly so because our away record defensively has been poor, but here at home, we’ve only conceded six goals.

“It’s only Celtic and Rangers who’ve got a slightly better goal difference than us at home, so we’ve got to take all of the positives and the confidence from those things, albeit it we know how difficult it’s going to be.

“Recent results in maybe the last decade or so haven’t made for great reading from an Aberdeen perspective, and that’s something me and this new group of players want to put right.”

He continued: “I wouldn’t be as bold to suggest there’s ever a good time to get one of the top teams in the country. I’m pretty sure some of the Celtic players will be in a similar frame of mind to my guys, where they’ve missed playing competitive football.

“I’m pretty sure they’ll be just as excited as what we are. Regardless of the players they’ve had involved in the World Cup, they’ve got a huge squad of real top quality and international players.

“We just have to try and focus on what we’re capable of doing. We’ve been in a great run of form, and we’ve got some young, talented players in our team that are capable of causing Celtic some problems as well.”

Aberdeen set to provide Celtic squad with a good test, but Hoops should be raring to go.

As was proven last campaign, a trip to Pittodrie can always be a tricky test, and that will be no different going into this weekend.

Jim Goodwin has got his side playing some good stuff, particularly at home, so the Dons are going to be tough opposition for Ange Postecoglou’s team.

However, this Celtic team should be raring to go and get back to winning games after over a month away from action during the World Cup.

Having returned to full strength on the injury front, the Celtic boss has almost got a full squad to select from. So, there will be plenty of competition for places.

Of course, as the manager of Aberdeen, it is expected that Goodwin will believe in his side’s abilities. However, his comments also show that he is wary of Celtic’s threat, and the Bhoys will come into this one ready to go from the off.

In other news, The rival fixture scenario Celtic have become well acclimatised too.