Celtic will go into tonight’s game against Aberdeen with only one objective; to win. It doesn’t have to be pretty football, far less beautiful football. All that matters is the result, getting three points and continuing our momentum down the road.
The match will be tough; there is no doubt about that at all. Aberdeen, at home, are a difficult prospect and although our record against them is good there’s no complacency amongst our squad. Indeed, to read the comments of Dedryk Boyata the other day, the team is taking this as seriously as it has taken any game.
There is also talk that some of the players – those in defence in particular – are tired. I can’t say I am surprised, but they are going to have to soldier on a while longer. The current run of games are important ones. Win them, and we’re set for the season.
We won ‘t ruin Aberdeen’s title chances with a win tonight, but we will dent their confidence. I read McInnes this morning, with some amusement, saying that he’s convinced his side does not have an “inferiority complex” about playing us … why would any manager ever bring such a thing up in the first place? You’re almost inviting the suggestion.
The team selection tonight will be interesting; Moussa looked superb against Hibs and I would think he’s a good bet to start the game. Might Brendan finally go with two up front? If it ain’t broke don’t fix it I say, and we will need that extra midfielder if our defence really is feeling it after having played so many games this season already.
I expect us to win, as I expected it at the weekend. The team has that great mental strength, which has taken us through not only tough games this season but similarly busy periods in the last campaign. We have the personnel to rotate the squad; I would think we will. I expect their team to play deep, but once we get the first goal they will have to change that.
The whole club will have taken a lift from getting to the final of the League Cup; as I said in a previous piece it was just what the doctor ordered after our European defeat in Munich.
This game will test us as much as any in Scotland will … it, too, is just what we needed.
A chance to really rock Aberdeen back on their heels.
Let’s see how they handle the pressure.
I know we can.