Ronny Deila has cause to smile when thinking of Aberdeen and not only because of the chilly familiarity and proximity to his Norwegian roots.
It was at Pittodrie in November that Celtic’s domestic season was kick-started. For once, Deila’s post-match celebration antics weren’t unjustified. Even at the time, a late Virgil Van Dijk goal appeared meaningful in the context of this Celtic campaign and Deila’s process of adaptation to Scottish football. Since then, Celtic’s only aberration was the home draw with Ross County immediately after Christmas; they are currently amid a seven-league match winning run.
And yet, Sunday’s visit of Aberdeen to Celtic Park remains a significant fixture. Aberdeen perhaps haven’t been afforded the credit they are due for their current placement, three points adrift of Celtic – albeit having played one game more – at the summit of Scotland’s top flight.
Were Derek McInnes and his players to leave Glasgow with victory, as hasn’t been unheard of in recent times, the notion of a title race worthy of the name would be impossible to ignore. Those who have so far wouldn’t be similarly disengaged were it Rangers, and not Aberdeen, on Celtic’s heels.
These, however, are curious times. Praise towards Celtic for retaining the championship is rather akin to congratulating an adult for tying their own shoelaces, such is the shortage of properly credible opposition. Deila cannot win in that regard; hence the manager may well cling to spirited performances against Internazionale as proof of progress. When you cut away grievances over refereeing, the reality is that Celtic weren’t defensively strong enough in one leg of that 4-3 aggregate loss and lacked a properly potent striker in both. Being blunt, several key performers who have left Celtic in recent years don’t look to have been adequately replaced, a point best illustrated when the level of opponent improves. It didn’t take Inter to highlight that much; in total, Celtic returned only four wins from 14 European ties.
Aberdeen’s approach to talk of a title tilt has been of the straight-bat variety. Which, whilst understandable, is slightly disappointing. McInnes and his players have nothing whatsoever to lose, after all, by talking up the prospect of becoming the first non-Old Firm team since 1985 to take the championship.
“Whether we win or lose the game on Sunday, there are still 33 points available to be won between now and the end of the season,” McInnes insisted this week.
Aberdeen’s strength has been in bouncing back when sceptics had written them off. Back to back league draws with Dundee and St Johnstone within six January days seemed to have derailed them; a subsequent League Cup semi-final defeat to Dundee United hinted Aberdeen may be following their late season collapse of last season with more of the same.
Instead, three league matches have produced nine points, 10 goals and not a single defensive breach. Perhaps as impressive as that spell was the transfer window coaxing of Kenny McLean from St Mirren for £300,000, the kind of transfer which has become unheard of in Scotland, when English clubs were hovering around the talented midfielder. McLean can be counted amongst those who believe Aberdeen are going places.
The result in Glasgow on Sunday is immaterial to that broader picture but Aberdeen must view this match as a chance. It is one for Celtic, too, by, even at the onset of March, all-but securing one part of what would prove a timely domestic treble for Deila. This should be the marquee fixture of Scotland’s league season and, perhaps, the perfect rebound opportunity for Celtic post-Milan.
