Aberdeen made it six games in a row without a goal in the Scottish Premiership as they narrowly lost 1-0 to Celtic at Celtic Park.
The only goal of the game came from Celtic midfielder David Turnbull in the first-half.
The first chance fell to Celtic in the opening minutes, but Odsonne Edouard hit the ball high and wide from a tight angle.
Aberdeen started the game firmly on the back foot, as Celtic launched constant attacks.
Fraser Hornby of Aberdeen in action against Celtic (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Aberdeen’s first chance came in the 10th minute, after a good run by Florian Kamberi, but his shot was straight at Scott Bain.
Celtic made it 1-0 in the 14th minute. David Turnbull was given of space and fired a shot into the bottom corner of the net from around 25 yards out. Derek McInnes won’t have been happy that Callum McGregor was given so much time to pass the ball to Turnbull.
Callum McGregor of Celtic is challenged by Ross McCrorie of Aberdeen (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Aberdeen were finding it difficult to get their foot on the ball as Celtic continued to dominate possession. McGregor came close to making it 2-0 with a shot over the bar. Aberdeen then had what looked to be a good penalty shout denied when Kamberi’s cross hit Stephen Welsh’s arm in the 34th minute.
The Dons then created their best chance just after that, after a fine run from down the wing by Dean Campbell, but his cross had no takers. Aberdeen were having their best spell of the game, and a fine effort from Kamberi from 25 yards out hit the base of the post with Scott Bain beaten.
The next effort on goal came from Odsonne Edouard, but he was denied by a fine save by Joe Lewis. A Turnbull shot was then deflected wide as Celtic took control of the game towards the end of the first-half.
The second-half started fairly low-key. Until Celtic had a chance to go two up in the 53rd minute. A McGregor run set up a Turnbull effort, but his shot was blocked.
Derek McInnes reacts during the game at Celtic Park (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Aberdeen had a decent spell after that, but they still found it difficult to create chances. Fraser Hornby had a decent effort on goal on the 65th minute, but it didn’t trouble Bain. It was decent link-up play between Hornby and Kamberi though.
Derek McInnes was booked by Alan Muir for his reaction to a free-kick decision in the 67th minute. The next effort on goal didn’t come until the 81st minute, when a Ryan Christie chip ended up on the roof of the net.
Joe Lewis then pulled off a fine save to stop Patryk Klimala killing the game off in the 89th minute. Aberdeen piled on the pressure towards the end of the game, but were unable to create any real chances and the game ended 1-0.
January signing impresses
Florian Kamberi was very impressive in only second start for Aberdeen. His link-up play was excellent, and whenever he was on the ball he looked like he could cause Celtic problems. He was unlucky not to score with a shot which hit the base of the post. If he can keep up the same level of form for the rest of the season Kamberi could prove to be an excellent signing.
Dons didn’t get rub of the green
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes can consider Aberdeen unlucky in the game. Not only did Florian Kamberi hit the post, but he was also unlucky not to be awarded a penalty for what looked to be a handball. It was a decent performance from the Dons, and on another day they could have earned a point at least.
Lack of chances created
One aspect of the game that might well have irked Derek McInnes is the lack of chances that were created by Aberdeen. The Dons had plenty of possession, but aside from Kamberi’s shot that hit the post, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. That is perhaps inevitable when you consider that Aberdeen have now gone six games without a goal.
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