Aberdeen 1 - 2 Celtic

Aberdeen met Celtic at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, before 24,000 spectators. The Parkhead players showed much more steadiness throughout, and after they had overcome the initial dash of the home team settled down to play a good game, though the football at no period could have been described as brilliant. The Celtic were fortunate in getting their couple of goals in the second half, after a goalless initial period, for after eight minutes of the second half had gone, Hutton, the Aberdeen back, headed the ball through his own goal as the result of a general mix-up of the players following a corner kick well places into the goal mouth, while their next was obtained by McStey, who took charge of a penalty kick off Hannah. Aberdeen's one and only goal came as a result of a combined spurt in the closing minutes of the game, Wright sending in a swift, low shot which the Celtic goalkeeper had little chance of saving.

Source: The Scotsman, 30th August 1920

There were 24,000 spectators at Pittodrie, where Aberdeen went narrowly under to Celtic in their first home League match of the season by 2 goals to 1. Aberdeen had Connon at centre-forward vice Macdonald, but otherwise the team was the same as lost to Rangers earlier in the week. Celtic were still without Gallacher, and Pratt was introduced at outside-left, McLean taking up the centre-forward position. The play throughout never touched a high standard, and if Celtic deserved their victor, they were fortunate in the manner they obtained their goals. The exchanges in the first half were fairly even, but the Celtic name the nearer to scoring mostly as the outcome of mistakes by the Aberdeen backs, who in the period were not all sure either in their tackling or clearing. There were no goals at the interval, but the Celtic showed the more convincing methods in midfield, although their finishing left much to be desired.

The Goals.

The first goal came after ten minutes of the second half had gone. Hutton conceded a corner, and in attempting to head out the flag kick he partly missed, and the ball struck the ground behind him and bounced into the corner of the net. Subsequently the play of the Aberdeen attack fell away considerably, and some roughness crept into the game. McLean netted for Celtic, but the goal was disallowed because of the player having been previously fouled by Hannah. There were appeals for penalties on both sides, but five minutes from the end McInally was brought down inside the box, and McStey put Celtic ahead from the spot kick. In the closing stages Aberdeen attacked with more resolution than at any previous period of the game, and after the hall had been sent out several times Wright scored with a curling shot. The play of the forward lines was disappointing, and the strength of both teams lay in the half-hack lines, while Celtic were much better served at full back than were Aberdeen.

Critical.

On the Aberdeen side Anderson, after a shaky beginning, saved well, and had two very fine clearances in the second half from Cassidy and McLean. back, Hutton and Hannah were erratic throughout, and put rather more physical force into their work than is desirable for clean football. All three half-backs ?Wright, Milne, and MacLachlan, acquitted themselves well, and saved their side from a much more decisive defeat. The forwards were badly mated, and except for occasional flashes the right wing, were seldom dangerous. The extreme wingers, Middleton and Ritchie, were easily best in the line, but both suffered from lack of opportunity, the play of the inside forwards, Connon. and McLaughlin in particular, falling short of what was required. Celtic were well served by the whole of their defence, in which McNair and Cringan were outstanding, and McMaster accounted for some nice touches at left half. The attack did not touch the level of play usually associated with Celtic forwards, and McAtee and Cassidy were the best of a line which, all things considered, were ahead of that of the losers.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 30th August 1920