Brendan Rodgers’ men recorded a 5-1 win in the match, which was the first SPL meeting between Celtic and Rangers in four years.
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Celtic prepare to square off against Rangers in the first Scottish Premier League Old Firm derby in first yours and the match has understandably attracted a lot of interest in Scotland as well as around Europe.
Despite finishing 15 points behind Ronny Deila’s Celtic, Aberdeen impressed and pushed them all the way until the split, after that they faltered as the size and strength of Celtic’s squad showed.
“For us to come back (after the global break) and play to that intensity and that level and be that clinical, it was a joy to see”, he said.
“No, I don’t think so”, he said. Yet, even after watching his side ship two more goals in the aftermath, he refused to entertain any notion the resultant defeat was a harbinger of things to come.
Rodgers is in the process of rebuilding his reputation having been sacked by Liverpool previous year and he will know that a win against their most bitter rivals this weekend will be a great way to endear himself to the Celtic faithful.
Beyond Celtic and Rangers, the commercial value of the clubs has remained so small that Aberdeen and others can hardly be criticised for not making hay while Rangers were away. Fans around the world look at this fixture. Barton will huff “n” puff, Miller will be a thorn in the Celtic defence, but the sheer quality that Celtic have will prove too much for Warburton’s team.
Yet the significance of Rangers’ re-emergence was evident in details, published by The Scotsman this week, of how the catalyst for hiring Brendan Rodgers as manager was the outlandish way Rangers directors celebrated when their club beat Celtic in last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out.
Griffiths’ absence would be an obvious blow to the Hoops and a boost to Rangers who are trailing Celtic at the top of the table by one point having played a game more. There’s no way we can let it affect the preparations for our next game.
Worse was to come for Rangers in the 75th minute as Kiernan limped off injured before Senderos saw red as he bizarrely opted to punch the ball away after a mistimed jump to pick up his second booking. I was only there a short period of time.
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That is Rodgers’ only change for the game at Celtic Park with former Liverpool defender Kolo Toure set to experience his first Glasgow derby. “I am sure the players will enjoy it this weekend”. “He can’t get near me”.
