Celtic made a triumphant return to action at the weekend with a 1-0 win away against Aberdeen. It was not a delightful game by any stretch of the imagination though and a frustrating watch for large parts, as it looked like the Dons were intent on playing for a goalless draw rather than go for a win at their own homeground.
They got nearly there but not quite, as Callum McGregor, the Celtic captain coming back after a long injury layoff, scored the winner late on into the game to hand the Hoops all three points and restore their nine-point lead at the top of the Premiership table. Michael Beale’s debut as the Rangers’ manager had resulted in a 3-2 win earlier.
It is safe to say that a lot of Celtic fans were not pleased with the tactics that Aberdeen used against, sitting back so deep in their own backyard.
After the match, Jim Goodwin admitted though that the tactics were because Celtic were the best team in the country, which would be music to the ears of the fans. As reported by 67 Hail Hail, the Aberdeen manager said to Sky Sports:
"“We were playing against very good opposition in Celtic; they’ve been the best team in the country up until now, only lost one game in the league and have won every other fixture they’ve been involved in.“So we tried to come up with a game plan that would contain them and frustrate them.”"
Aberdeen manager’s comments will be music to the ears of Celtic fans
It just goes on to show the kind of reputation that Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side have made for themselves over the past 18 months, that Aberdeen appear to be hoping to hang onto a 0-0 draw against them in their own stadium.
Of course, Celtic can expect to see similar set ups against them throughout the course of the season and it is up to them to make sure that they can get wins despite that.
The Bhoys left it pretty late at the weekend, but hopefully, they will be able to get a breakthrough much earlier next time around.