[0762]

This exciting game was actually a good advert for Scottish footie but from a Celtic perspective what a "comedy of errors" that places a wee bit pressure on Neil Lennon's position - luckily for him the "do minimum" of attaining a draw was achieved and 3 x consecutive defeats avoided with no significant damage to the current league position with a "game in hand". However, when one scrutinises this Hoops' performance the error-strewn nature of it was damning. Firstly, that naive Ntcham challenge on Ferguson for Aberdeen's opening goal/pk conversion was worthy of his instant removal and sub from Lennon's perspective - dreadfully poor awareness and judgement in a nothing situation at the edge of the Dons' pen box! Then Duffy's total lack of nous in simply clearing a ball, losing possession so cheaply and ultimately losing the second goal was bemusing - Celtic's defence not looking too clever at all but Duffy definitely the ultimate offender. Then lastly, a totally avoidable last min equalising 3rd goal was ridiculous, Magregor the main offender in conceding another pk after previously fouling Dons' players in so many dangerous positions - needless fouls btw from a guy who scored a really good second goal for Celtic! Lennon again bringing on rested subs after another tough Euro fixture and they should've delivered a positive fightback and win - Sparky coming on and scoring a "cracker" of a goal and Broony's influence clearly missed up to the point when Celtic were losing 2-1. From Aberdeen's pt of view this was a good result but one stat is still glaring for them - THEY STILL CAN'T BEAT CELTIC, THEY RARELY WIN AND THAT REMAINS THE CASE. My prediction for their next match v the Hoops at Hampden Park is that Lennon will field a changed but better Celtic team in this semi-final, contrary to all the "doom n gloom" stuff that surrounds them at the mo, and they will win this Scottish Cup semi-final more impressively than a lotta folk perceive. I think the chinks in Aberdeen's defence without McKenna definitely leaves room for great optimism esp for a team that plays good, controlled one-touch and two-touch footie but with good strikers up front to finish these thrustful attacking moves. Note Ajeti is not that striker and proved it today - a non-entity who was shown up by Sparky's brief contribution in the last quarter of this match.