Bhoys & Dons After Eight Straight

Bhoys & Dons After Eight Straight
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Looking for 3 in 3: Nicholas Kuhn has scored in each of his 2 previous games against Aberdeen


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 19 October 2024
15.00 BST

Paradise plays host to a pure box office clash this weekend, as the Celts prepare for the visit of in form Aberdeen, with both teams chasing an 8th straight Premiership win and knowing that victory will open a 3 points gap at the top of the table.

Both teams will be hungry to pick up where they left off and get back into the swing of things after the International break. For the Bhoys that means picking up after the 2-1 win over Ross County a couple of weeks ago.

But with both teams boasting 100% win records so far, this will not be a straight forward affair to ease back into - not least of which is that Brendan Rodgers side are embarking on a hectic schedule of 7 games over the next 21 days, which just adds to the pressure of staying high on confidence and the importance of maintaining momentum.​

Reo Hatate has a 100% win record in 7 matches against Aberdeen

Obviously this match is highly anticipated, given the stakes and the context of fixtures situation that Celtic are in, but on top of all of that this could set a marker, as these teams square off again in the League Cup Semi-Final in a few weeks time.

While the defending Champions started this season in imperious form, undoubtedly the far more compelling story so far is the remarkable resurgence of the men from the north-east, which has captured attention and fueled speculation of their prospects under new manager, Jimmy Thelin.

It seems so long ago now, but in fact it was less than a year ago when Celtic pummelled Aberdeen to the tune of 6-0, yet in the 2 meetings since there has been precious little between the sides.

In fact, over the remaining months of last season, the Bhoys were fortunate to depart Pittodrie with a 1-1 share of the spoils back in February, while it took penalties to progress past the Dons after the two sides could not be seperated following a 3-3 draw in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final.


Alistair Johnston scored & assisted in Celtic's 2-1 win v County before the International break

At the time of that Scottish Cup classic, the news had only just broke about the Swede taking over at Pittodrie at the start of the season. And if Thelin was watching that day, he would have witnessed a team that went toe to toe with the best in the country and that Aberdeen is a club with far more potential than they had been showing.

Since taking over, Thelin has recruited well and has gotten far more out of the players he inherited. He has implemented an effective and attractive brand of football, while also recognizing the need for a less stylish Plan B and even Plan C in his back pocket. Most of all, he has instilled real belief that has energized and galvanized the squad while sparking real excitement among the Aberdeen support.

The natural caveat to the remarkable run of 13 consecutive wins across both the League and League Cup, is that the Dons have not yet come up against either of the two Glasgow teams, but that should not take away from what has already been a record-breaking achievement since his arrival.

The Dons have won with style and have won ugly. There have been flying starts, grinds, comebacks and last minute winners. Every question that has been thrown at them so far they have had an answer for. No challenge too big and no situation impossible. There is only constant - they have always found ways to win and that is a real credit to them.

All of those qualities were on full display just before the International break when they hosted Hearts in front of a bouyant Pittodrie. The home side got off to the perfect start after just a few minutes to lead 1-0, but found themselves 2-1 down shortly after the hour mark, as the Jambos crafted more chances to go further in front.

However, the Dons resillience saw them stay in the fight before managing to find an equalizer and as the clock began to run out snatched a dramatic late winner, 3-2.


April: James Forrest was inspirational when these sides last met, but is a doubt for this game​

With both teams riding high and in such tremendous form, it is a bit of a shame that this mouth-watering contest will not be televised live domestically, while making anyone who will be attending this match are in possession of the undoubtedly the hottest ticket in Scottish Football right now.

During Brendan Rodgers first tenure as Celtic boss, these two teams often dished up some absolute classic contests. with magic moments and bruising battles which enthralled the fans, and every game felt like a real contest, which only drove and motivated to get the best from both sides.

Fast forward 6 years and perhaps on the cusp of something similiar, it cannot be understated the obvious importance for Celtic being totally focused on the task at hand, with the Dons hot on the heels and only goal difference that currently seperates these sides at the top of the table.

This game could a thing of beauty or it could be a total battle.

Whichever it is, it will be totally unmissable.


Magic Moment: 'The Wizard of Oz' Tom Rogic's late winner in the 2017 Scottish Cup Final v Aberdeen​

By the Numbers​

• The Hoops remain undefeated by Aberdeen since May 2018, having won 20 of the last 25 meetings overall.

• Celtic are chasing a 15th straight 'home' win across all competitions.

• The Bhoys are also after a 14th consecutive Premiership victory since April - including having won the first 7 of this season.

• The Dons have won 13 straight games (7LG, 6LC) under new manager, Jimmy Thelin.

• The visitors' pose a threat across the entire park and have already had 15 different goal scorers across those 13 consecutive wins.

• Defence is the big difference, as Aberdeen have kept just 2 League clean sheets, while Celtic have been nearly flawless with 6.

Team News

Brendan Rodgers will continue to be without injured duo of Cameron Carter-Vickers (foot) and Greg Taylor (calf), while winger James Forrest is also a doubt now, following his recent withdrawal from the Scotland squad.

Elsewhere, Alistair Johnston will hopefully have benefitted from sitting out the International break, in order to shake off any lingering effects of a niggling back complaint that the Canadian has been contending with recently.

As for the Dons, they will continue without midfielder Dante Polvara, who is working his way back to fitness from a hamstring problem, while striker Papa Habib Gueye who has been ruled out until the new year.​

Referee: Nick Walsh

It is only fitting that the top two sides in the country will be officiated by the man currently rated as Scotland's top Referee. Saturday will be the second time Walsh will take charge of the Hoops this season, following the 2-0 win against Hibs in August.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:34 W:29 D:4 L:1

VAR: Greg Aitken

​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 307 W: 188 D: 68 L: 51​

Last 5 Meetings
D D W W W

~~~~ 2023/24 Form ~~~~

All Comps
W L W W W ~ W W W W W

SPFL
W W W W W ~ W W W W W​