Former Celtic midfielder Murdo MacLeod believes the Dons can prove they are challengers for the Scottish Premiership by winning at Parkhead on Saturday but reckons defeat would signal the title race is already over.
The former Scotland international was hugely impressed with Aberdeen’s eight-game winning start to the campaign, which included a 2-1 victory against Ronny Deila’s side at Pittodrie.
But he has been perplexed by Aberdeen’s run of one draw and four defeats from the last five Premiership matches, a sequence which has handed the advantage back to the champions.
MacLeod did not see that drop coming because Aberdeen had looked so dominant and in control.
But he believes feels Derek McInnes’ side has the ability and resilience to turn things around.
There would be no better venue than Parkhead to do it and MacLeod said: “What Aberdeen need is a good result, a good performance and that can maybe get them back on track because you don’t become a poor side overnight.
“The Dons been a good side for the last year or so, if they play they’re as good as anyone.
“I still think they’ve got a strong enough mental strength, that’s why it’s so important for Aberdeen to get something at the weekend. There is something not right there just now but hopefully it’ll change.”
MacLeod has warned defeat for the visitors on Saturday would end the title race with Celtic already four points clear of their rivals.
He said: “It’s been incredible. It looked as though there was going to be a challenge to Celtic from Aberdeen as they looked very comfortable, they were in control, they’d beaten Celtic.
“When they beat Celtic during the run they were on I was thinking they had a chance here. I would have expected them to go the other way and that no-one would get near them.
“Now all of a sudden everyone has taken points off Aberdeen and it’s not just an unlucky 1-0 they’re losing, St Johnstone scored five against them at Pittodrie.
“Last year Aberdeen put in a fantastic challenge and with about six or seven games to go they were still there.
“But if Celtic win on Saturday then it’s just the end of October and it’s finished. They’ll be so far away if they lose at the weekend and Celtic will just get stronger.”