Substitutes Used

Pepper (s66)
Notman (s66)

Aberdeen 1 - 5 Celtic

Kick off 6pm Sunday 16th March

Attendance 16,825

The need to secure the services of Henrik Larsson on a long term basis became even more apparant after a fine display by the bhoys at Pittodrie tonight. Celtic have a potentially lethal combination up front who could help Celtic not only gain success domestically but perhaps even further. The strikers grabbed two goals each with Burley adding a fifth late on. Celtic were under pressure early in the first half but Mjallby and Riseth are beginning to look a lot more comfortable at the back these days and dealt with everything the dons threw at them. Newell should have been sent of for using his elbows on Mjallby which necesitated the Swede leaving the Pitch with a gashed head. The authorities are trying to outlaw the use of elbows in arial challenges, it was disapointing that Willie Young missed this one.

The opening goal was impressive, Blinkers corner was beautifully centred and Viduka's clinically executed header was pure class, although it should have been cleared of the line.

The score remained at 1-0 until half time, Aberdeen had a reasonable shout for a penalty, however I think Youngs decision was correct as Mjallby's handball looked wholly unintentional.

An early second goal was required and was duly delivered by Mark Viduka, he seems to have picked up all the luck Harald Brattbakk never had. Last week he picked up a goal when he deflected a Larsson shot into the net, a goal he knew little about, this week Regi Blinker hit a glorious 20 yard shot which rebounded of the upright into Viduka's path. Good strikers make their luck it is often said and Viduka does look very good. Although he has had some luck, he has also scored a couple of top quality goals. He still looks short of full match fitness and not entirely settled into the Celtic style, which is to be expected, however that will come soon and we will then see the best of Mark Viduka.

Celtic had already secured the three points when in a moment of madness Pepper got sent off for a dangerous tackle on Regi Blinker. Apparantly Pepper thought Blinker made a meal of the challenge, I am inclined to disagree I felt it was a nasty challenge that got what it deserved.

Aberdeen are a sad shadow of their former selves and this record victory at Pittodrie for Celtic is a reflection of that. Aberdeen's only relief was a splendid opurtunist goal by Robbie Winters, however had he converted a number of earlier chances Aberdeen might have posed more of a threat.

Substitutes Used

Burchill(s82)