Away from the high-stakes drama of the Scottish Premiership, Celtic finds solace in the upcoming Scottish Cup clash against Aberdeen this weekend.
Brendan Rodgers, amidst a fierce battle for the league title, remains on track for a potential league and cup double.
But before the celebrations can begin, Rodgers must navigate past Aberdeen at Hampden this Saturday in what promises to be a challenging encounter, especially now with Jimmy Thelin taking the helm at The Dons.
Despite Aberdeen’s recent struggles in the league, the Pittodrie side approaches the fixture with newfound confidence. However, rewriting the script from their previous 1-1 draw at Pittodrie won’t be an easy task.
Reflecting on the past encounter, midfielder Leighton Clarkson believes Aberdeen had the upper hand. “We should have clinched the victory as we put up a strong performance against Celtic that day,” stated Clarkson [Press & Journal].
Acknowledging Celtic’s quality, Clarkson emphasized the need to stifle their play and capitalize on key moments. “We are prepared with a game plan aimed at success. We know both Rangers and Celtic are formidable opponents, but we’re confident in our ability to compete and emerge victorious,” he added.
While Celtic dominated possession and had more shots on goal during the previous meeting, Aberdeen showcased resilience and created opportunities of their own. However, the statistics still favor Celtic’s overall performance on the day.
With a staggering 70.8% possession and 22 shots attempted, it was evident that Celtic had the upper hand. Although wasteful in front of goal, the Hoops displayed their attacking prowess, with moments where victory seemed within reach.
Looking back, missed chances haunted both sides, with Celtic’s near-misses preventing them from securing a decisive win. As the match unfolded, opportunities came and went, leaving the outcome in a precarious balance.
Ultimately, the battle between Celtic and Aberdeen promises to be fiercely contested, with both teams hungry for success. As they prepare to renew their rivalry, the stage is set for a captivating showdown at Hampden—an encounter that could tip the scales in favor of one team’s quest for Scottish football glory.