Aberdeen have a chance against CelticSNS

Aberdeen thought they had gone 3-2 up, only for this effort to be disallowed for a Duk handball

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland at Celtic Park

Aberdeen staged an incredible fightback from two down to earn a point and keep pace with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, as Jimmy Thelin's dream start as manager continues.

Pre-match anticipation was heightened with the sides level on points at the top of the table with 100% domestic records, leading this to be billed as the game of the season so far.

It turned into just that. This was a thriller.

Celtic had looked in complete control after racing two goals clear.

Arne Engels had already been denied by the top of the crossbar by the time he gathered deep in his own half and released Kyogo Furuhashi down the right channel. Reo Hatate raced on to his cutback to gleefully fire home.

A quick-fire second followed when Gavin Molloy failed to clear, and the ball fell kindly for Kyogo to thump home.

Suddenly, Aberdeen looked doomed. However, they responded and then some.

Thelin made changes at half-time, introducing Duk and Ester Sokler, and it paid off immediately as the latter raced beyond Liam Scales and finished brilliantly to haul Aberdeen back into contention.

The visitors found the leveller when captain Graeme Shinnie fired from the edge of the box and the ball deflected wildly and beyond Schmeichel.

There was still time for Aberdeen to have a winner ruled out by VAR after Slobodan Rubezic's header deflected in off Duk's hand.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Celtic were denied by goal-line blocks from goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov and Duk in a breathtaking finale.

Celtic let control slip

Celtic looked, at one stage, to be delivering the sort of performance that champions do.

Aberdeen had shown early promise, but the hosts appeared to have flexed their muscles with enough authority to send them on their way to another three points.

The failure to find a crucial third goal left the door slightly ajar and Thelin's side smashed it down.

That will be of concern for home manager Brendan Rodgers heading back into Champions League action midweek.

Defensively, the imminent return of Cameron Carter-Vickers might help shut down the sort of chances Aberdeen generated. Celtic can ill-afford to be so exposed against Atalanta in Italy on Wednesday.

It is the first dropped points of what has been a dominant domestic start to the campaign as Aberdeen showed they will be a tough nut to crack.

Statement Aberdeen performance and result

The question was whether Thelin's side could compete with the champions and send a signal that they might be capable of offering a serious title challenge.

On this evidence, the signs are very, very encouraging. There is a long way to go, of course, but Aberdeen fans left Celtic Park euphoric.

Their team started fairly brightly, but the script looked to be following familiar lines when they went two down. The response was magnificent.

Thelin talked pre-match about sticking to the identity and style they have been adopting and how the players would react if that was tested and they were put under pressure.

To come from two down was incredible. To have the chances to win it bordered on the unbelievable.

Yes, they rode their luck at times as Celtic frantically searched for a winner, but this was a statement performance and result.

For the doubters that presumed Aberdeen's start might be a fleeting foray to the higher regions of the Premiership, this display lends significant weight to the idea that they have a serious manager with a determination in his squad to succeed.

What they said

'Aberdeen good, but Celtic should have won' - Brendan Rodgers

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "We are disappointed. We had a good control of the game in the first half. We could have had more goals. We get punished for a really careless period.

"We found our rhythm again. I think it was 32 shots. A mixture of some really good defending and great saves from the goalkeeper meant we could not find the winner.

"We should win the game today, there is no doubt about that."

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin: "It was a really emotional game. We said at half-time, we have to calm down a little and come back to our strategy. We needed to find a way and to do that was to be a little more true to ourselves.

"I think we have an amazing squad and team spirit. We have had some late winners this season, showing our never give in mentality.

"Also, the away support helped us to get this energy."

Jimmy Thelin hails Aberdeen character after 'emotional' draw with Celtic

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