CELTIC PARK reverberated in celebration the last time Brendan Rodgers’ team lost at home to Aberdeen.
It was a radiantly sunny afternoon in the east end of Glasgow and the Hoops had just been beaten by a 47th-minute strike from Andy Considine.
It was the Pittodrie side’s first win at the venue in 14 years and the long-awaited triumph arrived on May 13 2018. It was also the only occasion the hosts had been beaten by Scottish opposition at Parkhead all season.
Celtic may have stumbled at the last hurdle, but it certainly didn’t spoil the party.
THAT’S MY BHOY…chief executive Peter Lawwell congratulates skipper Scott Brown before the title presentation at the end of the 1-0 loss to Aberdeen in May 2018.
RISE AND SHINE…Callum McGregor wins an aerial duel.
WIZARD OF THE WING…James Forrest prepares to take on Andy Considine.
Rodgers’ men had just picked up their seventh successive title and had made certain of the crown four games earlier with a memorable 5-0 home hammering of hapless Ibrox opposition.
The Dons had to be content with runners-up spot to the Hoops – for the fourth consecutive campaign.
The north-east outfit return to Glasgow on Saturday afternoon for a top-of-the-table confrontation with both sides locked on seven wins each and the champions in pole position because of their superior goal difference.
Callum McGregor and James Forrest are the two survivors from May 2018 who could face the visitors.
Scott Bain also played that day, but the keeper has dropped to No.3 in the pecking order behind Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo.
FOR THE RECORD: The team was: Bain; Lustig, Boyata, Ajer, Tierney (sub: Sinclair); Brown, Ntcham (sub: Armstrong), Rogic; Forrest, McGregor; Dembele (sub: Griffiths).