Celtic has a chance to pull clear in this title race. But our rivals won’t go down without a fight.

Aberdeen have been excellent for much of this season, but even as they were still winning games there was always a fear that a single defeat could unravel their momentum.

While they haven’t completely spiralled, dropping two points last night was undoubtedly a blow. Not for us, of course, as it gives us the opportunity to go six points clear if we win our game in hand, but for them, it stings.

The important thing now is for Aberdeen not to panic. They can’t afford to start obsessing over the Ibrox club sitting on their shoulder. That team is still eight points behind as things stand, although Aberdeen have played a game more. The timing couldn’t be worse for them, though. Their next two fixtures are Hearts away on Sunday, followed by a clash with us. Suddenly, that eight-point cushion doesn’t feel secure, and they’ll know it.

Panic is their biggest enemy.

If they let it take hold, they could easily drop points at Tynecastle and then lose heavily to us at Pittodrie and then the impression of the wheels coming off could be very real. If that happens, the Ibrox side will be back in the race for second place, and that’s when confidence can collapse. A season can fall apart quickly when doubts start to creep in.

From Brendan Rodgers’ perspective, we need to approach this unsentimentally and without a doubt we will. It was nice to see Aberdeen in such strong form, but it was never likely to last. Now we have a chance to pull six points clear. When we go to Pittodrie, we have an opportunity to stretch that lead even further. The fight for second place isn’t our concern.

For Aberdeen, they face a dilemma that arises in every sport: a team or individual rises to the summit, defeating every opponent in their way, only to falter just as the final hurdle approaches. For Aberdeen, it must feel like they’re staring down a relentless opponent, one they know will knock them down again if they’re not careful.

It’s easy to forget, in those moments, all the work it took to reach that point, all the victories that preceded it, and the hurdles already cleared.

I’ve never seriously believed Aberdeen were going to give us a last-day title challenge. There was always going to be a spell where their form dipped, and points were dropped. I knew we’d get the chance to pull away.

That said, I did hope they could keep the pressure on the Ibrox club for a while longer. Just long enough to cause maximum disruption and chaos over there. But it’s not over yet. Aberdeen could still stumble further, but let’s not forget that the Ibrox side are equally capable of dropping points. That’s far from impossible or even unlikely.

This week isn’t a comfortable one for our title rivals. Last night’s slip, combined with the psychological blow of their League Cup semi-final defeat to us, has them on the ropes. For the first time this season, they’re looking vulnerable. Heads might be dropping over there, and we’ve seen how quickly a team’s form can unravel when that happens.

Fortunately for them, before we come calling, they have a chance to regroup and beat Hearts, who are struggling near the foot of the table. They need to refocus, stay positive, and not lose sight of the progress they’ve made. Even if this isn’t the season where they overhaul the Ibrox side and cement second place, they are clearly moving in the right direction.

They were unlucky last night. They showed grit, coming back from 1-0 down to take the lead in the second half, then fighting back again to go 3-2 up.

But a lapse in concentration cost them, and they conceded a late equaliser. Despite that, this is a stronger, more determined side than recent results suggest. When we go to Pittodrie, it’ll still be a tough game. While I fully expect us to win, Aberdeen fans shouldn’t despair.

Their campaign so far has been remarkable, and the season is far from over.