Scottish Premiership
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Pittodrie, Aberdeen

CELTIC…2
(McGregor 10, Ajer 82)

ABERDEEN…1
(Taylor 26)

CELTIC extended their winning run to nine-in-a-row with a 2-1 win at Pittodire. The champions came out on top in a hard fought contest to extend their lead at the top to 13 points.

Callum McGregor put Celtic ahead early in the first half but the home side equalised through Ashton Taylor. Kristoffer Ajer emerged as the goal hero late in the game with a cool finish to restore Celtic’s lead.

The first chance for Celtic came from a quick counter attack with Fraser Forster picking out Leigh Griffiths out on the right. He passed inside to Odsonne Edouard who teed up Olivier Ntcham but his drilled effort from 20 yards failed to test Joe Lewis in the Dons goal.

Aberdeen started well and looked to hit Celtic in the wide areas but the hopeful crosses into the box were either dealt with by the Hoops defence or carried out of reach by the strong winds.

The home side’s efforts to pressure the champions proved to be their undoing and, with only their second chance, Celtic took the lead after 10 minutes.

Griffiths used his strength to hold off a challenge and collect a long ball into the opposition half. He dribbled into the box and cut a pass back for Edouard but, with no space to shoot, the Frenchman slipped the ball to Forrest. Lewis made a great save from close range to deny Forrest but McGregor was on queue to steer his side-footed shot in.

Aberdeen continued to pressure Celtic after going behind and managed to draw level just before the half hour mark. The move started from the Celtic’s left wing where Greg Taylor had just departed minutes earlier after picking up an injury. Connor McLennan whipped a cross in to the box which was flicked on by Matty Kennedy, allowing Taylor to control it with his chest before smashing his shot beyond Forster from the edge of the six yard box.

After levelling the scoring Aberdeen didn’t press Celtic as high up the pitch and defended well to keep the champions at bay.

The hosts were organised and aggressive in their defence and Celtic struggled to get going after the restart. Celtic’s efforts to build up any sort of momentum were met with quick counter attacks from the Dons but the Celtic back three were able to deal with the threat.

Jonny Hayed had a brilliant opportunity to put Celtic ahead with just over 15 minutes remaining but, after linking up well with Edouard on the edge of the box and bursting through the opposition defence, his shot was straight at Lewis.

Aberdeen’s aggression and willingness to attack Celtic kept the champions busy in defence and limited the opportunities in front of goal.

However, similar to the first goal, Celtic punished their opponents with a well worked counter attack to regain the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining. Edouard collected the ball on the halfway line and released McGregor with a cleaver back-heel. Forrest burst forward in support and collected the ball out wide. The winger cut inside and, spotting Ajer’s run into the box, passed to the Norwegian who rifled the ball into the roof of the net.

Celtic should have extended their lead just before the final whistle but Edouard uncharacteristically wasted a great goal scoring chance. Forrest delivered an excellent cross into the back post for Edouard. The ball initially got caught under him before settling at his feet. However, he then passed up an easy goal by shooting straight at a grounded Lewis inside the six yard box.

CELTIC: Forster; Bitton, Jullien, Ajer; Taylor (Hayes 24), Brown, Forrest, McGregor, Ntcham (Rogic 79); Griffiths (Christie 58), Edouard
Subs: Bain, Frimpong, Elyounoussi, Bayo,

ABERDEEN: Lewis, Logan, Taylor, McKenna, Considine, Ojo (Cosgrove 83), Ferguson, McLennan, McGinn, Kennedy (Bryson 61), Main
Subs: Cerny, Hernandez, Campbell, McGeouch, Anderson

Website Man of the Match: Kristofer Ajer

Celtic triumph at Pittodrie to extend lead at the top