Jim Goodwin believes that St Mirren have created a template on how to thwart and beat Celtic.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have won 14 out of 15 matches in the SPFL but came unstuck in Paisley, failing to even score a goal as they went down to a 2-0 defeat on the back of drawing 1-1 away to Shakhtar Donetsk.
While St Mirren played well and benefited from some strange decisions by Don Robertson the visitors also turned in a very flat and un-Ange-like performance. The silver/grey kit worn that day hasn’t resurfaced since.
Last December Goodwin was in charge of a depleted St Mirren side that held Celtic to a 0-0 draw. With far more attacking options Postecoglou will be looking for a very different type of performance with a bench full of back-up options to be called upon.
Looking towards Saturday’s match the Daily Record reports Goodwin saying:
The first two fixtures are as difficult as they can get because they are the top two teams in the country at the moment. Celtic have only had one defeat all season up until now against St Mirren away from home, so we’ve got to take a little bit of encouragement from that result.
I thought St Mirren’s game plan on the day was excellent, I thought they frustrated Celtic for large periods and deservedly won the game. What that proves is that they can be beaten if you get a number of things right on the day.
We respect them as an opposition, they’re a very good side and they’ve scored in excess of 50 goals this season already. But our home form has been excellent and won six out of seven league games at Pittodrie.
We’ve scored the same amount of goals I think as Celtic and Rangers have done at home as well. Our defensive record which is something people have been quick to point the finger at us and deservedly so because our away record defensively has been poor, but here at home we’ve only conceded six goals.
It’s only Celtic and Rangers who’ve got a slightly better goal difference than us at home so we’ve got to take all of the positives and the confidence from those things, albeit it we know how difficult it’s going to be. Recent results in maybe the last decade or so haven’t made for great reading from an Aberdeen perspective, and that’s something me and this new group of players want to put right.
One significant issue for the Aberdeen boss to deal with is the loss of Liam Scales but the on loan defender will be available for Tuesday’s match against the team currently in second place.
It’s easy Jim. Just get your players kitted out in Struth suits and brown brogues. Apparently that is what inspires fear in the opposition and a staunch sense of invincibility from you playing squad to the kit boys. It’s pure Timmy kryptonite too (so it is). Just ask the new Guardiola of Govan. Or Barry, the sage of Bothwell. Or the Faily Retard, Evening Times et al.