Callum McGregor reflects on Aberdeen game and ahead to Atalanta

Skipper Callum McGregor believes his side done enough to defeat Aberdeen on Saturday despite the Hoops blowing a two goal lead…

Celtic v Aberdeen – Reo Hatate celebrates scoring the first goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday October 19, 2024. Jane Barlow

A terrific first-half display saw Celtic leading at the break 2-0 thanks to goals from Japanese duo Reo Hatate and Kyogo.

However, a remarkable second-half turnaround from the Dons, firstly from Slovenian substitute Ester Sokler and then an equaliser from Dons captain Graeme Shinnie saw Jimmy Thelin’s side level the match within 15 minutes of the restart.

Despite Duk grabbing what he thought was a winner until VAR disallowed the goal for a handball offence, Celtic knocked on the door especially in added time, but could not breakthrough a defiant Dimitar Mitov in the Aberdeen goal who would not be beaten.

Aberdeen celebrate — Celtic v Aberdeen – Graeme Shinnie (hidden) celebrates scoring their second goal of the game with team-mates in front of the away fans during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday October 19, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Meanwhile, Kilmarnock beating theRangers 1-0 at Rugby Park means that the Scottish Premiership’s top two have extended the gap between themselves and Phillipe Clement’s side to six points.

Disappointed, dejected James Tavernier — Disappointed, dejected theRangers captain James Tavernier walks off the pitch after the final whistle. Full-time score Kilmarnock 1 theRangers 0. Kilmarnock v theRangers, Scottish Premiership, Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on 20 October 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

However, Callum McGregor reckons he and his teammates overall performance in the match merited to come away with more than a point:

“I think we did enough to win the game, especially in the last 15 minutes. We created enough big chances in terms of the spaces that we try and get in to. The big thing for us is that the manner which we started the second-half was slack and at that point, you’re in total control. We’re 2-0 up and have dominated the game. But they came out and changed it a little bit and get more of a threat at the top end of the pitch.”

“I thought there was enough in the first-half and the last 20 minutes, in all probability, we should have won that game. But we have to be disappointed with the outcome and the period of the game where we ultimately lost the lead.”

Celtic v Aberdeen – Scottishl Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi scores the second goal of the game during the Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday on October 19, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

We have a big game during the week

With a trip to Bergamo looming on Wednesday night, Saturday’s disappointment against the Dons will need to be emptied out of our system. It does not get much tougher than the Europa League winners in Europe’s elite club competition.

Speaking to Celtic TV post-match, the skipper insisted when leading the team out at the Gewiss Stadium in two days time, Celtic will be more than ready to compete, “we have to dust ourselves down and we have a big game during the week. It’s disappointing in terms of not taking three points, but in the grand scheme of things, where we are is fine and we’ll get the points back. Our focus now changes to Wednesday.”