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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Willie Miller slams Aberdeen's tactics in late defeat to Celtic

Aberdeen legend Willie Miller was less than impressed with his former side's tactics against Celtic this afternoon.

Jim Goodwin's side defended well but fell to a late, superb strike by Hoops skipper Callum McGregor in the 1-0 loss.

It was very nearly a hard-earned point for the Dons but in the end the visitor's quality shone through as they extended their gap at the top of the table back to nine-points.

Aberdeen remain third for the weekend, with Livingston's game called off, however, Miller was not a fan of how the Dons went about the task of taking on the champions with just two efforts on goal all game.

He told BBC Sportsound: “It’s not acceptable. Even if Aberdeen had come out of the game with a point I still don’t think it’s acceptable.

“I don’t think that, for fans who’ve turned up this season and watched exciting football and got their hopes up, that kind of tactic is acceptable for an Aberdeen team.

“I’ve played in games when you’ve been pushed back, when the opposition have been far better than you and you’re hanging in there, defending in numbers.

“That wasn’t the case today.

“Right from kick-off Aberdeen had five at the back and not just five in their own half – they had five at the back predominantly inside their 18-yard box.

“That tells you they’re there to frustrate Celtic.

“But it lasted the whole game and there was no excitement whatsoever, there was no intent to make it difficult for Celtic other than to try and frustrate the game.

“There was no intent to win the game – even when it was 0-0 with fifteen minutes to go, it didn’t change it all.

“In fact, it got worse – because he then played one up top instead of two and tried to hang on for the draw.

“It was a very disappointing afternoon and I think the fans will make their voices heard that it isn’t acceptable.” 

Aberdeen's next task comes up against Rangers at Pittodrie on Tuesday night.

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