Celtic 2 - 0 Aberdeen

Celtic successfully accounted for Aberdeen at Celtic Park, Glasgow. They were well worth the points, and only the brilliant goalkeeping of Blackwell prevented them returning a bigger score. On the hard ground the Celtic struck up a particularly effective game, Gallagher, McLean, and McFarlane excelling in a grand forward line. McInally got the first point six minutes after the start, and McFarlane scored the second goal near the interval. The Aberdeen team disappointed throughout. The forwards never settled to their usual game, and the heavy half-backs found it difficult to keep their feet. Most of the second half was fought out in Aberdeen territory, but Celtic could not add to their score. Attendance, 7000.

Source: The Scotsman, 23rd January 1922

Aberdeen sustained their thirteenth defeat of the season in Glasgow on Saturday, when Celtic beat them by 2 goals 0. With the exception Cassidy (under suspension), Celtic were at full strength, but Aberdeen lacked the services of Wright and Bert MacLachlan, recovering from influenza.
The pitch was in a deplorable state, especially the centre, which was partly under water. Victory went to the more deserving team, and that the dividing margin was not greater was largely due to the ineffectiveness of the Celtic forwards when it came to finishing. Throughout Celtic showed method and understanding which was foreign to the play of Aberdeen. The Pittodrie defenders were seen to advantage as spoilers, but they failed as constructive players, and the forwards did not work harmoniously together, their passing being repeatedly at fault.
Celtic scored their first goal after five minutes' play. Macfarlane was cleverly dispossessed by Hutton, who, however, failed to clear, and losing possession to McLean, that player raced away to square accurately to McInally, who easily beat Blackwell from close range. Celtic continued to monopolise the attacking, but their shooting generally was badly directed, although Blackwell had to deal with several dangerous efforts. At the end of forty minutes Celtic scored again, brilliant individual work by Gallacher being capped by Macfarlane. In the period the Aberdeen forwards had really only two tries for goal, Shaw having to save a hard drive by Miller, and near the interval Thomson shot over.

Aberdeen Improvement.

Aberdeen were seen to much better advantage after the interval, but, although their offensive was vigorous enough, they combined badly, and were rather easily baulked by the Celtic defenders. Blackwell was often called upon, and had several brilliant clearances. Once he saved at point blank range from McInally, and, while lying on the ground blocked successive shots by Macfarlane and McLean. Later he stopped a hard drive from Gilchrist. A terrific shot by McInally was tipped against the cross-bar by the Aberdeen goalkeeper. The Celtic goal was frequently in danger. Once Shaw did well to hold a drive by Miller, and on another occasion, when the goalkeeper was absent from his charge, it was fortunate that Dodds was on the spot to clear Robertson's drive. Play generally favoured the Celtic, and McInally on one occasion sent wide from the six yards line. Aberdeen had nothing to complain of in the result. They did not adapt themselves to the conditions as well as the home team, and, except for short periods in the second half, were always fighting a losing battle.
Celtic proved a fine-balanced and powerful all-round team, whose forwards at times showed a tendency to overdo the ornamental touches. Their outstanding players were McNair, Cringan, Gallacher, and McLean. The best of a moderate Aberdeen side were Blackwell, Hutton, Forsyth, Thomson, and Miller. Attendance, 12,000.

Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal 23rd January 1922