..as Celts take the points.

For the third week in a row Craig Brown named the same starting XI as the Dons went for their third straight win. The only change saw Mitchell Megginson replace the injured Peter Pawlett on the bench. Scott Vernon again partnered Rory Fallon up front as the Dons looked to the pair for their first away goal of the season.

In the opening minute Andrew Considine made a couple of excellent tackles on the fit again Gary Hooper. The Dons defender did not enjoy much luck against the Glasgow team last season so it was good to see him starting the game strongly. On 5 minutes Milsom broke into the Celtic box cut the ball back but he could not find Vernon or Fallon. It was encouraging to see the ease in which the Dons managed to get Milsom in. Nine minutes gone and Osbourne picked up the loose ball in the middle of the park, Fyvie ran down the left and crossed but the ball was well cut out by Forster. Fyvie had started the game on the left wing with Milsom on the right.

In the 13th minute Considine was forced to head the ball behind for a corner, Celtic’s first of the afternoon. From the set piece Aberdeen just managed to scramble the ball clear at the back post and Stoke’s overhead kick went harmlessly wide. Three minutes later Kayal shot wide. After a strong start the last five minutes had not been great for the Dons as the home side enjoyed too much comfortable possession.

On 17 minutes Fraser Fyvie gave the ball away in a dangerous area. Mulgrew took one of his in-swingers but the ball was well claimed by Gonzalez. Then minutes later Celtic took the lead. Aberdeen allowed the home side to pass the ball about thenJames Forrest came off his wing. He linked up with a number of players on the edge of the box. The ball was played threw to Ki who got in ahead of Jack and he placed the ball under Gonzalez. A really disappointing goal from the Dons point of view. Aberdeen struggled to get to grips with Forrest in the first half as he was playing a free role and popping up all over the park.

Instantly Milsom and Fyvie switched back to their regular positions and straight away it almost paid off when Milsom sent Foster down the left. The cross was blocked down by Adam Matthews arm. It looked a very strong penalty shout as his arm was raised and not down by his side, but referee O’Reilly was not interested.

On the 25th minute Arnason was adjudged to have fouled Stokes even though he clearly won the ball. Aberdeen were not putting enough pressure on Celtic when they never had the ball. However when they did try and go into tackles, Mr. O’Reilly was penalising them for being over physical in his eyes. Next a great run by Foster down the left. He got to the by-line before cutting inside and playing the ball in with his right foot. At the front post Forster and sub Majstorovic just cleared the danger. Then from a long throw by Arnason the ball found its way to Vernon at the back of the box but his first time effort failed to trouble the keeper. Slightly better stuff from the Dons though.

On the half hour mark Foster was booked for a tackle on Forrest although It seemed little more than a foul. After 32 minutes Fallon won a free kick and as Milsom played the ball in Vernon was clearly tripped at the back post. Again no penalty. Then Fallon was booked for a lunge on Mulgrew. Mr O’Reilly was dishing out the cards now, At this rate it was only a matter of time before an Aberdeen player saw red. Kayel then did his best to get Arnason booked after a soft foul.

Five minutes from the break, Osbourne and Arnason linked up for the first time in the afternoon. Arnason played it wide to Fyvie but his cross was over hit. Frustrating, as he had plenty of time to put the cross in. Aberdeen finished the half on top and had a good chance in the final minute. A better cross this time by Fyvie and Vernon was inches away from getting a touch.

Aberdeen made a great start to the second half but the first chance fell to Ki after the Dons defence allowed the ball to go across the face of goal. Thankfully Mawene did just enough to stop him getting a clean shot away and the ball went over the bar. Aberdeen continued to enjoy good possession but apart from an Osbourne shot from distance and a Fallon cross they did not look like scoring. Aberdeen then got a break when Foster cleared a cross which went straight to Hooper. The shot was deflected and could have gone anywhere but thankfully went straight into Gonzalez’s arms.

The visitors then had a better chance when Arnason’s long throw caused problems. The ball was flicked on by Fallon but Forster got there just ahead of Vernon. Milsom then had a shot blocked. Better stuff from the Dons though and then just on the hour mark they deservedly equalised. It was the Dons first away goal of the season. And what a goal it was. Ryan Jack picked up the ball midway inside the Celtic half, beat about four players before showing great composure in the box to calmly place the ball past Forster. O’Reilly took exception to the youngsters celebration and booked him for his troubles.

The home crowd started to get on their players backs and you felt at this stage if the Dons had gone for the jugular Celtic might have crumbled. However it was the home side that put the Dons under pressure. Arnason then became the latest Aberdeen player to be booked abd from the resultant free kick Stokes fired a free kick just over. Celtic’s pressure was mounting and Matthews shot from about 25 yards out was well tipped over by Gonzalez. Wanyama then had a good chance from the resulting corner but the ball broke off him and went harmlessly wide. Hooper then missed a great chance as the ball came across the face of goal. The Celtic pressure continued but the Dons were doing just enough to keep them out and you were beginning to think it might just be the Dons day.

But on 71 minutes Celtic regained the lead. A free kick was played into the back post. Aberdeen failed to clear the danger and the ball broke to Mulgrew who held off Arnason before firing high into the net from about 6 yards out. Gonzalez might have got a touch but could do little to keep it out from that range. Another very soft goal from the Dons view point. Craig Brown put on Mackie and Chalali for Vernon and Fallon. Both strikers had worked hard and needed to be replaced. Ryan Jack put in a great tackle on Hooper but then minutes later the same player was sent off for a tackle on the same player. When the referee ran over to award the foul it looked like he was only going to give the free kick but then decided to produce a yellow then a red for Ryan. Richard Foster led the protests and was furious with the decision.

Aberdeen fought hard in the final stages but with 10 men they could create little. The best chance came when an Arnason header almost put Mackie in but Forster did just enough to clear, although he looked far from convincing. O’Reilly did his best to help Celtic to another when he intercepted a stray Mawene pass to put Celtic in but the Dons held firm and did not concede a third. A disappointing afternoon in the end and like the game at Ibrox earlier in the season the Dons should have taken something from the game.