ABERDEEN proved they were good sports as they formed a Guard of Honour for Celtic before being dismantled 5-0 at Parkhead yesterday.
There had been discussions if any team would indulge in sportsmanlike behaviour to mark the occasion of Ange Postecoglou’s side’s second successive title – and the club’s magnificent achievement of their eleventh crown in 12 years.
The Hoops sealed the championship with their 2-0 victory over Hearts at Tynecastle on May 7 and we waited to see if anyone would give the team credit with a round of applause before the end of the campaign with four games still to play.
PAIN GAME…Ross McCrorie holds his head as Tomoki Iwata walks back to his own half after Carl Starfelt’s goal makes it 3-0 for the champions. Image courtesy of Celtic TV.
It was never going to happen at Ibrox and St Mirren decided to shun the champions of the country in the east end of Glasgow eight days ago.
Hibs opted for the silent treatment before the midweek match at Easter Road, but CQN pointed out on Tuesday that the Pittodrie club had been courteous enough to afford the Celtic players a guard of honour back on July 31 in the season’s curtain-raiser at Parkhead.
We urged the north-east club’s bosses to stage an action replay in the final league game of the campaign. In the spirit of the sport, the Dons did so before the 12.30pm kick-off.
They lined up in a respectful manner although some the visitors – such as former Ibrox player Ross McCrorie and skipper Graeme Shinnie – didn’t join in which didn’t matter a jot in the great scheme of things.
The other performers in red who did pay their tributes can take their own personal bow.
We applaud good sports in Paradise.
BUNCH OF FIVES – KYOGO, OH AT THE DOUBLE
