The game against Aberdeen on Sunday lunchtime will be a tough challenge for this Celtic side. The Dons have certainly become something of a force since Barry Robson was placed in the dugout on a temporary basis but went on to earn a richly deserved permanent contract at the club.
This will also be the first big test for Brendan Rodgers since his return to the club as manager, replacing Ange Postecoglou after the Australian got his dream move to the English Premier League after two eventual and hugely successful seasons at Celtic.
This is probably our toughest away fixture outside going to Ibrox, although maybe the two Edinburgh sides would argue with that assumption. You can forget our good form at Pittodrie in recent years as Aberdeen are now a different kettle of fish under former Celt, Barry Robson who has also added decent quality to his squad over the summer. Make no mistake this will be a very difficult hurdle for Celtic to overcome.
The home side will also be itching to put in a decent performance after dropping two points away to Livingston on the opening day of the season. Pittodrie will be packed to the rafters with a decent atmosphere as the supporters look to see their side put in a solid show against the champions. And it’s worth noting that there will be, perhaps for the last time in quite a while, a larger than usual Celtic support at this game. And every single one of those Celtic fans will be roaring the Hoops on to the three points, you can be sure about that.
The game at Pittdore is certainly a challenge that Brendan Rodgers and his players will relish, this is one of those games where you can put down a marker, win our first away game after theRangers lost theirs at Kilmarnock last weekend and show everyone why we’re the champions.
It will be tough but it’s a game Celtic are more than capable of winning, but it won’t be easy and we’ll have to fight hard for the three points. Anything less than a win will be disappointing and this is something that the new players all need to understand. Brendan knows this and he will have been working hard all week in preparation for a victory, make no mistake.
Remember when Ange Postecoglou’s side won at Pittodrie in October 2021? Remarkably that was our first away win in the league since beating St Johnstone in Perth on Valentine’s Day! That was a significant three points that afternoon and we all looked back on it as the point in which the season turned into a title winning charge for the team.
Even this early, winning at Pittodrie on Sunday could be just as significant. If you were unfortunate enough to be a fan of our main rivals for the league, you’ll be hoping Aberdeen can get something on Sunday. If they don’t you’d be deflated going into a tough Champions League match and you also have to factor in what happens when Livingston play at Ibrox tomorrow. Even assuming a home win there, a Celtic win on Sunday will give them that sinking feeling that they are all very familiar with.
It’s a hard game, but one this Celtic team is more than capable of winning. Let’s hope that Brendan’s Bhoys can get the three points.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
