Europa League return for The Dons despite defeat to champions
Celtic 5 | Brown (25, 44) Stokes (53), Commons (69, 87)
Aberdeen 2 | McGinn (27), Logan (56)
SPFL Scottish Premiership | Parkhead | 3pm
The score certainly did not reflect the performance from Aberdeen and Iain Brines’ decision not to award them a penalty at 2-3 left the Dons wondering, what if? Celtic went ahead in the 25th minute when Mathew fed the ball to Brown and he fired beyond Langfield. The lead only lasted two minutes as Mathews went from hero to zero when his pass back was intercepted by McGinn and he calmly slotted in the equaliser. Rooney had to leave the field in the 38th minute following a challenge by Forster after the whistle had already gone for offside. Vernon eventually replaced the injured striker. With three minutes of the half remaining Hayes hit a screamer, but it went just wide of the target. Two minutes later Mathews and Brown combined again to make it 2-1 to Celtic.
Seven minutes into the second half Robson went close to levelling for a second time when Forster could only beat away his fierce effort. A minute later however the Dons were slow to clear their lines and Stokes pounced to make it 3-1. Aberdeen then pulled another one back with the goal of the match as Logan cut in from the left and fired a spectacular 20 yard effort past Forster for his first goal for the club. Aberdeen had a strong claim for a penalty in the 65th minute when Ambrose took Hayes out inside the box, but referee Brines waved play on. Four minutes later a quick break from Celtic and Commons makes it 4-2 as the Dons were left shaking their heads. Late in the game McGinn forced a save from Forster and Flood was denied by the post, before Commons added a second to make it 5-2.
However, with Dundee United dropping points in Inverness Aberdeen secured their Europa League spot despite the loss and will now look to clinch second place in their remaining two games against United at Tannadice on Tuesday and against Motherwell next Sunday at Pittodrie.
Aberdeen team | Langfield, Jack, Robson (Smith 73), Reynolds, Anderson, Logan, Flood, Hayes, McGinn, Pawlett (McManus 89), Rooney (Vernon 40).
Substitutes not used | Weaver, Tate, Robertson, Zola.
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