DISMAL DONS DEFEATED ON ASH MONDAY

ABERDEEN blew the chance to join Celtic at the top of the Premiership when they lost 3-1 to Inverness Caley Thistle in the Highland capital tonight.

Manager of the Year in waiting Derek McInnes’ men could have matched the champions on 58 points with a win over John Hughes’ side, but, despite getting off to a flying start, they faltered and surrendered the opportunity of grabbing a crucial victory.

Top scorer Adam Rooney gave them the lead with a typical strike in the seventh minute, but a blunder by central defender Ash Taylor gave Iain Vigurs the chance to level in the 18th minute.

The Jags deservedly went ahead six minutes after the turnaround when referee Willie Collum gave a penalty-kick after a high challenge from the unfortunate Taylor downed Ross Draper in the box. Greg Tansey, who almost joined the Dons in last month’s transfer window, took the effort and sizzled it low and hard into Scott Brown’s right-hand corner as the keeper took off for the opposite side.

It was all over in the 65th minute when Carl Tremarco added the third with a header at the back post that drifted across Brown, struck the inside of the far post and bounced into the net. The linesman waved for offside, but after a confab with Collum the goal stood and there was no way back for Aberdeen. It was actually blunder boy Ash taylor who got the crucial touch to complete his own personal misery.

Afterwards former Celtic defender Hughes observed that “Inverness were the better footballing side” and thoroughly deserved their comfortable win.

As well as having a three-point advantage, Celtic’s goal difference is virtually worth another point. They sit on plus 45 while the dismal Dons are on plus 16.

The Pittodrie outfit now travel to Glasgow on Friday for another important SPFL meeting with Partick Thistle at Frill, having thrown away the their opportunity to be top of the league before Champions Celtic kick another ball.

On Celtic Quick News the mood was upbeat and humorous with one contributor posting this wee gem:

Sean the Sheep, Dolly the Clone, Mary and her little lamb, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Old MacDonald, Aries, Shepherd’s pie, Shepherds Bush, The National Sheep Association, Mutton dressed as Lamb. Your boys took one hell of a beating tonight.