Pittodrie prospects. Flares again

Their three most recent games, all on the road, have not been kind to Aberdeen.  Defeats at Livingston and St Mirren, and a point at Ross County, took the air out of their sails after taking a point from Newco on their first outing after the winter break.

Their away form has been terrible.  Since taking a point at Ibrox in October, they have lost four, drawn one and won once away.  They are a different team at home, where they have not lost in three months.  It is the latter stat that Ange Postecoglou will be most exercised with.

Tonight’s game at Pittodrie is one of the most important in what is left of our season.  Win, and your confidence will receive an endorsement.  Fortunately, Celtic are on their best form of the season and travel with as strong as squad as they have had in years.

My generation of football fans are probably more circumspect of our prospects at Pittodrie than younger fans, who were not conditioned through the 80s to celebrate a fighting draw.  Be in no doubt, a win would be celebrated heartily.

I saw some confusion after Celtic’s correspondence to fans in the standing section yesterday.  It is not Celtic who make the rules on flares.  The stadium is licenced to open for football games subject to Health and Safety rules, which nationwide do not permit flares.  Everyone should be aware of this.  When rules are broken.

Flares provide Instagram-ready moments that are shared worldwide within moments.  For some, this is a large part of their football experience.  This debate is at least a decade old, it will continue for years, with sporadic outbreaks and consequences.  I doubt anything will change soon.