Lesson learnt as Celtic once again show their mettle in close encounter at Pittodrie

Well that match changed quickly didn’t it?! In what looked like yet another stroll in the park after two easy victories against theRangers and Motherwell, Celtic made hard work out of a game that should have been beyond Aberdeen by half time. In the end another three points are in the bag but this was a game were plenty of lessons should have been learnt.

Aberdeen looked out of sorts in the first half as Celtic resumed their impressive form during the past week as they continued a much welcome trait of coming out of the blocks firing on all cylinders during the opening period and yet again we took an early lead. Portuguese star Jota got on the end of a fantastic low cross to the back post from Matt O’Riley to prod the ball home and open the scoring at Pittodrie.

Shortly afterwards O’Riley went from provider to goalscorer as he netted from the edge of the box via a deflection from former Ibrox graduate David Bates and at this point I think every Celtic fan was wondering if we would yet again enter half time with a 3-0 lead in what would have been the third game running. Alas it was only to be the two but even so, it did at this point feel like it would take something special for Aberdeen to get back into this game.

Unfortunately Celtic began the second half looking like they believed the game was already sown up as they looked flat and allowed Aberdeen to get a foothold in the game. Suddenly, after a well worked set piece which caught Celtic cold, the hosts were in the ascendency and the game looked far from over. Soon enough the equaliser arrived, as yet again Celtic were undone by a set piece. Game on.

Celtic really do have to focus more in set piece situations. Often during games I feel completely relaxed watching us defensively as it honestly looks like we are in total command at the back during open play but that suddenly changes when we face a set play. You just get the feeling it’s a chance for the opposition to score, and you can guarantee they feel exactly the same. At away grounds you can even feel the atmosphere from the home fans change as a sense of expectancy sweeps the crowd. It’s something that has hindered us for years yet we seem no closer to banishing our set play demons.

Thankfully however, and not for the first time this season, Celtic showed they are made of tougher stuff and instead of wallowing in self pity they rose to the challenge and took the lead once more almost instantly as Jota got his second of the night with a well taken finish. The remaining part of the game was no doubt nervy but Celtic held on to claim a vital win and maybe even took away something more important from the game. A lesson never to take anything for granted.

This team are still learning. They are currently miles ahead of where many of us could have imagined during the summer. Tonight will do them the world of good. After an incredible week they would have entered half time at Pittodrie feeling unstoppable. The second half however proved to each and every one of them players that wins don’t come easy, that no matter how well you are doing it’s dangerous to rest on your laurels.

Tonight will prove a hundred times more beneficial to this group of players than any 3-0 or 4-0 victory. I’m glad it played out as it did. My nerves during the last half hour didn’t appreciate it but I’m glad them players will reflect on this later and hopefully never let whatever mindset crept in at half time surface again.

Three points and a huge lesson learned that will stand them in good stead during the rest of the season. You can’t ask for much more than that.

Conall McGinty