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