How 'refreshing' Aberdeen 'spooked' Celtic in thrilling 2-2 draw

Dons' Thrilling Win Shocks Celtic

Aberdeen made two incredible goalline clearances in stoppage time to earn a draw.

This match marked Aberdeen's first significant challenge of the season with their new manager, Jimmy Thelin. The 2-2 draw at Celtic Park impressed pundits from BBC Scotland, who enthusiastically commended the match for showcasing the best of Scottish football. As a result, both teams find themselves tied on points at the top of the Premiership.

The Dons' impressive run of 13 consecutive victories with the Swedish coach has come to an end. They now sit in second place due to goal difference. This result also marked the end of Celtic's flawless start to the domestic season, where they had previously won every game.

Aberdeen's comeback from two goals down at the home of the defending champions was described as "courageous," "impressive," and "invigorating." It clearly demonstrates that Thelin's team is closing the gap on the top two teams in Scotland.

Was it truly a result of Aberdeen's skill, or was it more about Celtic's weaknesses in defense?

Celtic Faces Consequences For Carelessness

Celtic's coach Brendan Rodgers believed that his team played a role in their struggles during the second half.

Jamie McGrath made a fantastic pass that broke through Celtic's central defense, allowing Ester Sokler to score and narrow the gap. Shortly after, Graeme Shinnie's shot, which was deflected, equalized the score after Daizen Maeda lost the ball to the opposing team.

"I felt we were penalized for our lack of focus during those 10 minutes," Rodgers commented.

"We managed the game well in the first half and probably should have scored more goals. However, from around the 50th to the 60th minute, we became a bit passive when we didn't have the ball and didn't show enough intensity."

Rodgers emphasized that solid defense and impressive goalkeeping kept Celtic from scoring, even though they had around 32 attempts on goal.

"I realized it wouldn't be flawless, especially considering that all the players had been traveling globally and then reunited. However, I thought we should have been able to manage that game better," he remarked, alluding to the fatigue from international commitments.

Despite this, Rodgers commended Thelin for making two substitutions at halftime, which led to Sokler scoring almost immediately after coming on.

"You really have to commend them for it. Jimmy and his team are well-trained and well-structured, and the adjustments they made were effective for him," he stated.

"However, from our viewpoint, if our press is effective, he wouldn’t receive the through ball at all."

Jimmy Thelin and his Aberdeen squad walked away from Celtic Park with pride and confidence.

Since joining from the Swedish team Elfsborg, Thelin has made a strong impression with his grounded attitude. He managed to stay calm despite the high emotions that come with achieving such a significant outcome.

He commended the team's collective determination that prevented Celtic from scoring during a tense 10 minutes of added time, where two shots were saved right on the goal line.

"In the final few minutes, there were some intense moments on the field," he acknowledged. "However, the players really put everything on the line - they held nothing back."

Thelin described the discussion that occurred during halftime as he got ready to bring on the speed of Sokler and the winger Duk.

"We had to take a moment to relax and concentrate on who we really are," he mentioned.

Celtic Troubled By Dons' Tactics

Barry Robson, the former midfielder for Aberdeen and Celtic, mentioned on BBC Sportscene: "Celtic completely dominated the first half and had opportunities to add more goals, but they struggled to maintain that performance in the second half."

Robson, who previously managed the Dons, said: "It's impossible to control 60% of the ball at Parkhead. The key is to take advantage of the transitions, and they executed that flawlessly. He made a few changes by bringing in Duk and shifting Jamie McGrath to a central position, while also introducing Ester Sokler, who excels in transitional play."

Neil McCann, a former winger for Scotland, felt that the draw was a testament to Thelin's "courageous coaching," especially considering the team held just 16% possession during the second half.

"When you send four out of five players forward in pursuit of a goal, you have to be aware of how skilled Celtic is at counter-attacking. They excel at turning a counter-attack against them into their own opportunity," he remarked.

I believe Celtic felt a bit unsettled in the second half because they're not accustomed to facing so many players attacking them at once.

Ex-Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner remarked on the effect of the substitutions made by Aberdeen at halftime, calling it "truly remarkable."

"I've seen some amazing matches at Celtic Park, and this one was among the best," he said during an interview with BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound. "It truly had it all."

Former Aberdeen center-back and manager Willie Miller confessed that he felt somewhat nervous after the thrilling conclusion of the match.

"I've been looking forward to this for quite a while," he remarked, referring to Celtic's impressive streak of 26 matches without a loss against the Dons, during which the Reds have faced some significant defeats in Glasgow.

It was a tense situation. I simply found it invigorating—Jimmy Thelin and the Aberdeen team truly deserve a lot of praise for coming here and putting up such a competitive match.

In the second half, they shifted to a 4-2-4 formation, with McGrath often playing alongside Sokler.

Since Celtic and Aberdeen have now opened up a six-point lead over Rangers, who are set to face Kilmarnock on Sunday at noon, the big question is whether the Dons can manage to separate themselves from the Old Firm by the conclusion of the season.

Former Scotland midfielder Michael Stewart remarked, "I don't think the difference between second and third place will be as significant as it has been in the past."

"If Aberdeen can't break the dominance of the two Glasgow teams and end up in third place, I don't expect them to be trailing by 15 to 20 points. Instead, I believe they'll be narrowing the distance."

As the Dons prepare for upcoming home matches against Dundee United and Rangers, they are also looking ahead to their semi-final clash with Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup. With these three important games on the horizon, Thelin’s revitalized team has a great opportunity to keep progressing.