Celtic look to get back on top as football does the talking

05th Nov2010

Celtic look to get back on top as football does the talking

by WeKnowSFA

Aberdeen looking for better form on the road

There has been a lot of spin put on Gary Hooper’s words this week, admittedly not as much spin put on Hooper by Gary Kenneth of Dundee United so the striker will be keen to get back into action this weekend.

Celtic struck three without reply at McDiarmid Park last weekend without Hooper so there is no guarantee he will walk straight back into the first-team but the options for Neil Lennon are looking more positive.

Niall McGinn’s re-emergence into the team has delivered three goals in two games, increasing the strength in depth Celtic have in wide positions. James Forrest is still out injured but McGinn’s re-appearance as well as the capture of Olivier Kapo should see Celtic with the ability to alter things if it’s not going their way.

Thomas Rogne did nothing wrong on his return to the first team to suggest being dropped so you imagine the Celtic backline will remain as it was last Saturday. Any victory will take Celtic back to the top of the SPL (at least until Sunday) so the incentive for the hoops players is evident.

Neil Lennon would have been happy with his defenders last weekend, Emilio Izaguirre being extremely impressive but Mark McGhee would have been less impressed with his backline. A late lapse in concentration allowed bottom club St Mirren to grab a victory and derailed the mood of enthusiasm that was rebuilding at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen started the season in good form and their fans, perhaps mindful of the fact that it wouldn’t get better than that, got very carried away with themselves and their favourites. A dip in form followed but a thumping win over Hibs and then progression to the League Cup semi-final seemed to suggest Aberdeen were back on track.

It’s not as if Aberdeen fans will be expecting much from the trip to Celtic Park but a much improved showing will be required. Rangers fans will expect nothing more than the Dons to roll over and have their tummies tickled but given that Aberdeen have actually won at Celtic Park this millennium, that notion can be discounted.

These two teams meet in the league cup semi-final at the end of January but have a Pittodrie clash in December before then. This weekend’s game will not have much of an impact on the league cup but with respect to vital league points, this Saturday is crucial for the hosts and visitors alike.