SPL Sunday January 16th 2005

Aberdeen 0

Celtic 1

0:1 Sutton 24

Att:17,051

MIB: Kenny Clark

Celtic: Douglas McNamara Balde Laursen McManus Juninho Lennon Petrov McGeady Sutton Hartson
subs
Camara for Juninho 76 Wallace for McGeady 89

This was a scrappy encounter, but at least it ended our losing streak against the Sheepies. It was never going to be a classic with the Dons having failed to net for over 300 minutes and Celtic fielding a depleted squad. With Varga, Valgaeren, and Agathe missing and only five subs on the bench the writing is on the wall when it comes to the shape of our squad for the rest of the season.

The tone for the day was set by Lambert even before the game began. During the warm up, he whacked the ball at the goal, only to see it go wide and knock a child off his feet! The match continued this vein, as Juninho, making a rare starting appearance, was bowled over by Sheepy brawn at every opportunity. What he makes of this brawn over footballing brain approach, God only knows. Football in the balmy Barrios of Brazil is a bit of a far cry from that in the wasteland of the frozen North east.

Aberdeen, true to form, were toothless up front, despite the urgings of Calderwood and Nicholl, the Dons' resident Tonto and Lone Ranger. The Tanorexic, gusset-scratching Calderwood, has the kind of orange coloured physog that would embarrass any self respecting Native American. As for his masked sidekick, his face showed all the mobility and expression of a Totem pole.

Celtic, never seemed to get into their stride at the hill of dung, but on 24 minutes the magnificent Sutton, did the needful and sent a shot deflecting off an Aberdeen defender into the pokey. It was game over. Another goal line clearance saved the Dons from going two behind on the stroke of half time, but that was really it.

Second half chances were few and far between, even when Juninho was pushed up front for further physical abuse. He was eventually replaced by Camara and went off the park looking bemused. This was a feeling also felt by the fans as Camara proved to be a waste of space. Pass marks to McManus and McGeady for sterling if uninspiring performances and another three points on the board.