Celtic were at their irresistible best in the League Cup semifinal when they thrashed Aberdeen 6-0 last month. There was an air of expectation among fans who travelled south to Hampden that they would beat Celtic and win the cup. That confidence was based on the result between the sides at Celtic Park only two weeks prior to their meeting at Hampden, when Aberdeen came from 2-0 down to draw the game.
Defeat by St Mirren and draws at Hibs and Hearts have very much readjusted Aberdeen’s hopes for the season. Winning a trophy and having a crack at the title have been replaced by a desire to hold onto second place. Even that aspiration would be put under pressure if they fail to take anything at home to the champions tonight.
Before the teams met at Hampden we discussed how that was the first time this season Aberdeen had to play three games against top flight opposition within a week. Their midweek game (a win over Newco) drained the legs of whatever energy had pushed them through previous encounters.
They did not have another three game week until their St Mirren-Hibs-Hearts run, which not only drained the legs but sapped seven points from their league campaign. The game at Tynecastle was three days ago but will feel like yesterday to the Aberdeen players’ legs.
Celtic, on the other hand, are setup for games every three or four days. They have the muscle memory and fitness levels only available to athletes who are tested regularly at this aspect of the game. We should grow stronger as the game gets into the latter stages.
Aberdeen’s regular keeper, Dimitar Mitov, was injured against Hearts and was replaced by former Celtic youth, Ross Doohan (26), who last made a start at East Kilbride in July. Doohan’s 45 minutes against Hearts on Sunday was his second appearance in top flight football. Tonight will be a test for the keeper who Brendan Rodgers will remember from his first time at Celtic.
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Well done Celtic
Donating to a good cause that took our best ever player good to hear 👏👏👏
https://x.com/CelticFC/status/1864294667300556872?s=19
HH
Terrible news about SFTB, he was the heart and soul f this site for years, hope his famiky and friends remember a real good guy
KINGLuBO
Doesn’t it just get things in perspective
hahahahahhaah,
they dont like it up em.
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I fully expect Ross Doohan to play out of his skin……………
RIP, SFTB.
Condolences to all CQNers who knew him.
So sad.
A very fine poster and Celtic fan.
RIP SFTB
🙏 RIP Tony (SFTB) 🙏
RIP SFTB
Condolences to family and his friends
aww jeezo, just read back regarding SFTB – a standout contributor to THE DEAR GREEN PLACE……
always read him….RIP
He also kept the bumptious at bay.
Feck it. Life, eh.
always the ghood ghuys never the nuggets….
i did not know of Tonys sad passing when I posted that wee unimportant and trivial nonsense,
a very sad night now, and we lose another of our great and really insightful posters,
cmon the hoops lets get a result for our bhoy.
Excellent poster with a fountain of knowledge
Shocked to hear of his sudden passing RIP
Celtic: Schmeichel, Valle, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Johnston, McGregor (C), Bernardo, Hatate, Kühn, Maeda, Kyogo
Subs: Sinisalo, Taylor, Scales, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Engels, Forrest, Ralston
Shocked and saddened by Tony’s (SFTB) passing.
The best of posters ,it was a pleasure to become a pal, and spend time listening to his knowledge, opinions and humour.
A sad day indeed , he will be missed by many .
Condolences to his family and close friends
Rest In Peace Tony 🙏
Dont know over the years how many times I wrote” Fantastic post”,after one of his offerings.Brilliantly written from an obviously highly intelligent guy,every time.
The Blog will be a much poorer place without him.RIP,the inimitable,SFTBs.
Truly sorry to hear we’ve lost SFTB, a wonderful contributor to CQN. Condolences to his family and friends , many of them on here.
Really sad news about SFTB – Condolences to his family and all who knew him. RIP
Utterly devastating news regarding SFTB. Literally the person who brought me to CQN, or rather CQN to me, after reading one of his fascinating stories in a CQN annual ( remember them?) many, many years ago. A great man, a great wordsmith and a great Celt.
Shocking news! Just awful.
Logged in to seek team news only to see the shocking news about Setting Free the Bears.
Can’t believe it.
That’s a positive starting lineup, possibly our best options in all areas of the park. Win this and we set ourselves up nicely.
live updates up
Saint Stivs on 4th December 2024 6:45 pm
What was that about?
Apologies for the insensitive timing of my post. Condolences to SFTB’s family and friends.
Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon You “Tony Gillespie”
And May You Rest in Eternal Peace
Absolutely devastating news for most of us that new Tony
More importantly for Shiela and all the family and friends Tony has
Will miss his wisdom and calmness (rational) on all things Celtic
🙏🙏🙏🕯️🕯️🕯️
Tom McLaughlin on 4th December 2024 1:33 pm
GERRYBHOY
With the umlaut his name is Kühn. Without the umlaut it is Kuhn. No idea where you’re getting Kuehn from.
—
Please stop embarrancing yourself.
I have lived in Germany for many years. When an umlaut is not used, an e is inserted.
Kühn = Kuehn. Period.
Ö = OE
Ä = AE
And of course Ü = UE
So, get it right!! And, yes, you are correct in that you have no idea.
embarrassing
Very sad news about the loss of Tony (SFTB) – one of the first posters I met along with CRC some 13 years ago in the Q.P. Cafe after a semifinal v the Dons. Strange days!
Condolences to all his family & friends. May he R.I.P.
I just read here about the death of SFTB. This news is so, so sad. I didn’t know that the name behind his CQN nom de plume was Tony Gillespie. What I did know was that his every contribution would be so well written, so very worth the reading and, more often than not, quite memorable.
RIP Tony. One of the very best.
Don’t know if this should be called a warm up.The players look absolutely Baltic.
That freezing wind and rain will cause some problems tonight.I know both teams have to endure it,but it could be a leveller for Aberdeen.
Penalty and goal chalked off.What did Maeda do there.Stand his ground.
Shocking.