Aberdeen-Celtic in proxy for the final

Aberdeen were on fire in March, winning all four games, scoring 11 without response. Form since has been a contrast. They fell apart at home to Newco, and to St Johnstone, snatched a win against Hibs at Hampden, but recorded decent wins away to Hearts and St Johnstone.

With Celtic already champions and Aberdeen having secured second place, tonight’s Premiership game will be a proxy for the real event when the teams meet in their second cup final of the season in three weeks.

I can’t see Brendan Rodgers experimenting with youth, as he did against St Johnstone last week. The last thing he’ll want is to give Aberdeen encouragement ahead of the final. Much better to give them a bloody nose.