Aberdeen 1-1 Celtic: Three things we learned

By Ethan Barlow

The two sides couldn’t be separated at Pittodrie (Image: Getty Images)

The Dons hold the champions to a draw despite Nicolas Kühn’s second-half equaliser. Here are some of the key takeaways from Aberdeen’s impressive result:

Managerless Dons end the week on a high

Aberdeen caretaker manager Peter Leven (Image: Getty Images)

 

Aberdeen fans haven’t had anything positive to cheer about in recent weeks. Barry Robson was given his marching orders after the Dons’ 1-1 draw with Dundee on Wednesday, but Peter Leven has started his caretaker term with a solid result at home to the league leaders.

 

After having a pretty negative first half, with an expected goals tally of 0.0, Aberdeen went in at the break level after Celtic could not convert one of their chances. The second half was a completely different story as Aberdeen were the better team and the man linked with a move to Celtic, Bojan Miovski, gave the home side the lead after a great finish beyond Joe Hart.

 

Brendan Rodgers’ triple substitution changed the game for a period, and shortly after, Celtic were level. After Celtic’s January signing Kühn started the move, he finished it when he was teed up by fellow winter signing Adam Idah. Kühn’s goal, which deflected in off Nicky Devlin, looked like it would start a Celtic comeback win but it was Aberdeen who had the best of the play and the chances. The biggest of the chances fell to Graeme Shinnie, but he could only fire his one-on-one opportunity straight at the former England number one. Miovski thought he had given Aberdeen the lead, but the flag went up and he joined Luis Palma in scoring offside goals. Matt O’Riley had the biggest second-half chance for the Celts as he hit the woodwork, which was Celtic’s third time striking the frame of the goal.

 The game finishing level was probably deserved for both teams as it was a game of two halves.

Miovski comes back to bite Celtic

Miovski celebrates putting Aberdeen in front (Image: Getty Images)

Miovski netted his 12th Premiership goal of the season, only bettered by Lawrence Shankland (14). Miovski was one of the many strikers linked with a move to Celtic Park last month, but Celtic opted to go elsewhere and the North Macedonian international may have proved why he was worth signing after all, after he gave the Dons the lead with a brilliant finish.

 

Aberdeen couldn’t have afforded losing Miovski in January as he has contributed to just under half of their Premiership goals this season. His value at Pittodrie shouldn’t be underestimated and you would imagine it will be very difficult for Aberdeen to keep a hold of him this summer.

Celtic’s January signings make an impact

A lot of the talk of Celtic’s transfer window has been negative this week, but their two new recruits made an impact off the bench to help Celtic rescue a point. Kühn, of course, got the equaliser and looked like an attacking threat in just his second appearance for the Hoops.

Kühn opened his Hoops account (Image: Getty Images)

Adam Idah had a part to play in the equaliser. He could have had a shot himself, but unselfishly set up the German to get the goal. The Norwich City loanee’s debut cameo was very impressive outwith his involvement in the goal. He held up the ball brilliantly and was part of some impressive link-up play. Most good things Celtic did came through the Irishman.

New loan signing Idah impressed on his debut (Image: Getty Images)

 

Despite a disappointing afternoon for Celtic, there’s no doubt these two will have given Rodgers a slight headache going to the match at Easter Road next week, which will be another difficult test for the champions. There’s now no room for error with Rangers sitting three points behind the league leaders, with a game in hand.

SportEthan Barlow