Scotland’s top two teams meet at Pittodrie tonight as Aberdeen put their title hopes on the line against champions Celtic.
Victory for the Dons would move them to within three points of the beleaguered Hoops, who are still coming to terms with their dreams of a domestic treble being dashed by Sunday’s defeat to Ross County in the League Cup semi-final.
Another loss would add more fuel to an ever-increasing fire surrounding Celtic manager Ronny Deila, whose future is once again being questioned by his doubting support.
Defeat for Aberdeen, however, would give Celtic a nine-point margin which could be insurmountable for the chasing pack.
Aberdeen team news
- Aberdeen midfielder Jonny Hayes will face Celtic, despite receiving 18 stitches after he was bitten by dog.
- Defender Mark Reynolds returns from suspension.
- Wales attacker Simon Church joins the squad after his loan move from MK Dons.
- Midfielders Ryan Jack and Willo Flood remain out with hamstring injuries.
P&J team have their say on how the Dons should line up tonight
Celtic team news
- Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic misses the game and faces four to six weeks out with a knee ligament injury.
- Kris Commons (muscle injury) and Tom Rogic (ankle) are doubts.
- New signings Colin Kazim-Richards and Patrick Roberts are available but unlikely to feature.
- Charlie Mulgrew might have to wait for his comeback from a thigh problem after playing 45 minutes in an under-20s win against Rangers on Monday.
- Scott Brown is in contention for a start after his return from a knee problem against Ross County.
- Efe Ambrose is free to play despite his League Cup red card.
Derek McInnes says
“What’s clear is Celtic, when they are in full swing, are still a really tough team to keep hold of and restrict.
“While they have found scoring goals to be fine this season, as they
normally do, they have conceded far more than in previous seasons.
“They have already conceded two more (19) in the league than they did in the whole campaign last year. They have let in 40 goals in all competition, so that would suggest there is an area there they haven’t been as tight in.
“Jason Denayer and Virgil van Dijk was as strong a central defensive pairing as the league has seen for many years. The fact they have conceded more goals than they normally do may be a reason why they may seem a bit more vulnerable.
“Their results have been good of late, up to the League Cup semi-final, and they have scored plenty of goals. They are on a good run and they are a good side, but we are confident we can create problems for Celtic with our attacking play.
“The game is something that we are all relishing and looking forward to. It will be a sell-out and that provides an added ingredient along with live television coverage against a team that
always represents the toughest challenge for any team in this league.
“It is an opportunity for us to try to beat a team close to us in the league.
“Wherever a club is in the league, it is important to try to inflict damage on the teams around about. We have managed to win two out of two against Hearts in the league and we are going to try to get our second win against Celtic.
“The benefit of that would be clear to see. We will try to do that, as tough a task as it is. We take confidence from the fact we are in good form and have beaten them already this season with 10 men. With a strong crowd behind us, we will try to do that again.”
Ronny Deila says
“It’s a big test for us against Aberdeen but we have so much to play for. If we win this game, it is going to be so hard for them to catch us again.
“What people have to understand is that the most disappointed man after Sunday is the one sitting here.
“But I’ve lost games before, big games – it’s only seven or eight months since it happened last time.
“We have to get on with it and bounce back again. The best athletes and coaches go on and turn it around, they don’t go on losing and losing. Everybody can be a manager when things are going well. It’s when things are going bad, that’s when you show what’s in you.”
Aberdeen provisional squad
Brown, Logan, Shinnie, Considine, Taylor, Reynolds, McLean, Hayes, Rooney, McGinn, Pawlett, Storie, Smith, Robson, Church, Wright, Harvie, Ross, Collin.
Celtic provisional squad
Gordon, Lustig, Ambrose, Boyata, Sviatchenko, Tierney, Izaguirre, Johansen, Forrest, Bitton, Armstrong, Allan, Rogic, Mackay-Steven, Griffiths, Christie, Cole, McGregor, Roberts, Kazim-Richards, Bailly.