Nicky Devlin was on the scoresheet as Aberdeen won 2-1 against the Rangers at the Pittodrie Stadium to remain level on points with Celtic atop the Premiership table and go 9 clear of Philippe Clement's side. Jimmy Thelin's side deserve their flowers for how well they have done at the start of the season.
Things are not getting any easier for them though. Next up, they will face Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.
The occasion might not scare Aberdeen though. Very recently, they came back from two goals down at Parkhead to draw 2-2 against Celtic.
As a result, Celtic need to be very careful of this Aberdeen side as well. It is too early in the season to come to any conclusions but the Hoops cannot rule out the possibility that something special could be brewing at the Pittodrie Stadium. The comparisons to the 2015/16 Leicester City side are already being made.
Aberdeen player makes bold claim before facing Celtic
Devlin seems to be taking a very balanced approach into the game against Celtic at Hampden Park. As reported by The Press & Journal, the Aberdeen player said:
"We obviously showed against Celtic we can score goals against them, and we have to bring that second half performance from the very start – because in the first half we weren’t great and probably let them get too much of a foothold in the game and they scored a couple of goals."
Devlin recognised the need to keep it tighter at the back but also pointed out how they know within the team they've got goals. He continued:
"I think come Saturday, if want to go through, we will have to put a 90-minute performance in, or 120 minutes – whatever it may be – (together).
“I don’t think we can be as poor as we were in the first half at Parkhead again. We have to be better than that."
This could very well prove to be Celtic's toughest test of their domestic campaign. Aberdeen are flying high at the moment following their draw at Parkhead and the win against the Rangers.
At the same time, it is also an opportunity for Celtic to stop the momentum that Aberdeen have been able to build up so far. One bad result could dent their confidence and make the title race much easier for the Hoops. On the other hand, if the Dons win this weekend, there is no telling where we are headed this season. Let's see how it plays out at Hampden Park.