…as Dons narrowly defeated at Celtic Park

After a summer of turmoil for Scottish Football it was thankfully back to the action on the park as the Dons kicked off the season away to SPL Champions Celtic. With a strong squad assembled, manager Craig Brown had some difficult choices to make. Jamie Langfield started in goal, with Ryan Jack, Russell Anderson, Andrew Considine and summer signing Gary Naysmith across the back. In a midfield three were Isaac Osbourne, Gavin Rae and Stephen Hughes while up front were the Dons other summer signings- Niall McGinn and Johnny Hayes alongside Scott Vernon. On the bench were Jason Brown, Chris Clark, Rob Milsom, Rory Fallon, Peter Pawlett, Ryan Fraser and Josh Magennis.

The Dons created their first attack in the opening minute- Gavin Rae found Steven Hughes but the ball deflected back off the Aberdeen player and out for a goal kick.

Gary Naysmith was at the centre of attention on 5 minutes when he went in late on Beram Kyal. The Celtic player eventually limped up and the ref let Naysmith off- to the anger of Neil Lennon who continued to berate fourth official Ian Brines for some time after.

The Dons next attack was on 8 minutes when Osbourne tried to find McGinn but the new signing couldn’t make up enough ground and Forster cleared.

Jamie Langfield had to make his first save of the match on 10 minutes- Stokes eventually collected a bouncing ball and tried to thread it past the Aberdeen goalkeeper. This was followed by a long stoppage when Samaras went down injured.

On 17 minutes Gavin Rae found Johnny Hayes in space but his shot from just outside the box was well blocked by the Celtic defence. Rae was by now having a big influence on the game but he attracted referee Calum Murray’s attention for a tackle on Samaras. No card produced though by the referee.

The Dons were continuing to look lively throughout the opening spell and Ryan Jack fed a great ball through to Niall McGinn who controlled well at first but it then took a bad bounce off him and went out for a goal kick. Moments later there was an injury scare for Aberdeen when McGinn went down in the box after a challenge but he was ok to carry on.

Celtic’s first real chance of the game was well saved by Langfield from Kris Common’s effort on 22 minutes. Up the other end McGinn nearly got on to a delightful through ball but a slight touch from Rogne sent it back to Fraser Forster. Moments later, Samaras found himself in space inside the box but fired high and wide when he should have put the hosts ahead.

The Dons then made a tactical change when Ryan Jack moved into midfield with Isaac Osbourne moving to right back. On 31 minutes, they were awarded a free kick close to the edge of the box but Gary Naysmith hit it straight into Forster’s arms. 3 minutes later, Scott Vernon turned neatly but his ball was then intercepted by Victor Wanyama.

Gary Hooper had found opportunities hard to find in the first half, mostly down to resilient defending from the Dons, but he found himself with time in the box when Gary Naysmith missed his tackle but the Celtic player fired high over the bar.

Stephen Hughes played a dangerous looking ball through towards McGinn on 39 minutes but the Celtic defence stood firm and cleared for the corner which was ultimately taken short and wasted.

The first half faded out as a spectacle bar a Kris Commons shot on 44 minutes which failed to trouble the Dons.

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Aberdeen began the second half comfortably and they had various half chances but nothing clear cut. Hayes was tackled by Izaguirre on 50 minutes and the resultant free kick bounced awkwardly in the Celtic box but they eventually cleared.Scott Vernon then lashed a shot over the bar soon after.

Ryan Jack scored a spectacular goal at Celtic Park last season and he looked ready to repeat that again as he drove forward but his shot was well off target on this occasion, as the home fans beginning to get more nervous.

Wanyama went close with an effort after good play from Commons but the Dons were holding firm and looked resilient at the back. Jamie Langfield was called into action on 63 minutes though when Commons again fired a shot in on goal which the goalie had to parry away.

Although the Dons adventures in the box were few and far between, Isaac Osbourne did have a brief glimpse of goal when he cut inside in the box but the ball just got away from him and Kelvin Wilson intercepted.

There was a scare for the Dons not long after when the ball was played through the defence to Joe Ledley but thankfully the offside flag went up and allowed Langfield to pick up.

Aberdeen made their first change of the afternoon when Chris Clark replaced Gary Naysmith- who was lacking in match fitness but certainly made a positive impression on his league debut for the Dons. This resulted in Ryan Jack slotting in at left back with Clark in left midfield.

At right back, Isaac Osbourne was outstanding throughout and one challenge in particular was superbly well timed when it looked like Celtic sub Paddy McCourt would advance through on goal.

But not long after disaster struck for the visitors. Following a poorly defended short corner, Kris Commons had loads of time and he crossed in towards the near post and somehow the ball ended up in the back of the net. Langfield should have stopped it and it was a huge mistake from the Aberdeen goal keeper.

The Dons had little chance to equalise after this but Craig Brown replaced Hayes with Ryan Fraser In attempt to get something out of the game. And Fraser was lively during his spell on the pitch and should have had a foul when he was brought down but nothing was given.Then Magennis replaced McGinn with just a few minutes left but it was to no avail and bar a booking for Russell Anderson when he blocked Hooper, the game fizzled out.