Scottish Premiership
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC…1
(Turnbull 14)

ABERDEEN…0

Celtic continued their recent run of form with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen at Paradise. The Hoops made it five wins from five with thanks to a dominant first-half performance which saw David Turnbull score a wonderful goal early in the game.

Celtic started the game well and had Aberdeen pinned deep inside their own half from the off. The visitors were barely allowed to breathe and found themselves overwhelmed by Celtic’s attacking pressure.

Greg Taylor proved a lively source of attack in the early stages with some good deliveries into dangerous areas in the box but the Aberdeen defence made some crucial interceptions.

There was nothing they could do to stop Turnbull’s wonderful strike in the 14^th minute. McGregor slipped the ball to Turnbull and the 21-year-old took a touch and quickly pulled the trigger from around 30-yards. Joe Lewis was helpless as the ball bulleted through the air and into the bottom corner.

Turnbull was a constant thorn in the side of Aberdeen as the midfielder used his strength and skill to create chances for Celtic in and around the box. McGregor and Edouard both came close to scoring midway through the half. McGregor’s first-time effort from an Aberdeen clearance on the edge of the box flashed just wide of the top corner. Edouard meanwhile saw one shot blocked and another saved by Lewis.

Celtic were reminded of their narrow lead later in the first half as Aberdeen managed to find their footing and create a couple of good chances. Dean Campbell went on a good run into the Celtic box and delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard box which went unanswered.

Later Florian Kamberi came close with a quick-fire shot from around 20-yards that came back off the post.

Turnbull was close to doubling Celtic’s lead early in the second half. McGregor bust away from McCrorie and played a great pass into the feet of Turnbull but his attempt was blocked.

Aberdeen were more organised in the second half and limited Celtic’s chances while putting more pressure on the Celtic defence. The Hoops defence dealt well with the visitor’s pressure, particularly Kristoffer Ajer and Stephen Welsh. The two central defenders dealt well with Aberdeen’s crosses into the box.

The best chance for Derek McInnes’ side came midway through the second half when Fraser Hornby worked some space for himself on the edge of the area but his shot was straight at Scott Bain who saved comfortably.

Celtic were unable to recapture the attacking momentum they showed in the first half and were unable to create as many chances but they still had the bulk of possession and defended well to see the game out.

CELTIC: Bain, Taylor, Ajeti (Rogic 62), Soro, Turnbull (Elyounoussi, 81), Kenny, Christie, Edouard (Klimala 81), Ajer, McGregor, Welsh.
Subs: Barkas, Duffy, Brown, Griffiths, Ralston, Laxalt.

ABERDEEN: Lewis, Hoban, Considine, Hornby (Hendry 77), Taylor, Hayes (McLennan 61), Ferguson, Kamberi, Campbell, Kennedy (McGinn 77), McCrorie.
Subs: Woods, Logan, McGeough, Ross, Virtanen, MacKenzie

Website Man of the Match: David Turnbull

David Turnbull's impressive strike helps Celts to victory over Aberdeen