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John Hughes: Celtic will never replace van Dijk and Denayer and Aberdeen will take title race to wire

John Hughes and Derek McInnes will go head-to-head this afternoon
John Hughes and Derek McInnes will go head-to-head this afternoon

Caley Thistle manager John Hughes has backed today’s opponents Aberdeen to take the Premiership title race to the wire – but still expects Celtic to come out on top.

The Dons finished runners-up behind the Hoops last season by a margin of 17 points but McInnes’ Reds are currently five points clear at the top of the table having won all eight of their Premiership games.

Although Hughes reckons Celtic will make it five titles in a row, he feels Aberdeen are capable of narrowing the deficit at the top.

Hughes said: “It’s a hard one to call because it all comes down to injuries and suspensions, strength-in-depth. We don’t know what’s going to happen.

“I don’t think Celtic will ever replace the two centre halves they’ve lost. They’ll be really hard-pressed to replace Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer. Not just individually but as a partnership.

Defenders van Dijk and Denayer both left Celtic in the summer
Defenders van Dijk and Denayer both left Celtic in the summer

“In terms of Aberdeen, they’ve brought in players to the first team who will improve it. Celtic, I don’t think can go out and replace van Dijk and Denayer.

“Aberdeen will push them a lot closer this year but I can still see Celtic winning the league.”

Inverness finished 10 points behind the Dons in third place last season and Hughes has challenged other teams in the top flight to reduce the gap on the top two, adding: “It’s great for Scottish football.

“Aberdeen have raised the bar and everyone has to get back on the tail of them now. For a long period, we were on their tail and they pulled away from us.

“We need to do everything we can to keep giving Scottish football a shot in the arm.”

Despite winning just once in the league this season, Hughes has praised the way his side has dealt with the loss of several key players, including captain Graeme Shinnie to today’s opponents Aberdeen, as well as a spate of injuries at the start of the campaign.

Hughes added: “I probably owe my team an apology. We’re sitting back thinking about what they did last year – and they were magnificent.

“Sometimes we’ve got to say it’s not been as good as last year but what they’re giving me in terms of effort and commitment is different class.”