Celtic 2 - 2 Aberdeen

Force Division After Being Two Goals in Arrears

Aberdeen fully merited their draw against Celtic at Parkhead, in fact, on play they had a decided advantage. Two factors contributed to the fact that they did not win ? the defence was slow to settle and the forwards were polished without being impressive at close quarters.

Two goals down in twenty-five minutes, the Dons are due credit for a plucky recovery. They were unlucky, too, in regard to Celtic's second goal, Dunn appearing to be yards offside when he netted.
Crum was responsible for the opening goal, scored in five minutes, and a well-taken goal it was too. Dunn raced down the left, rather easily beat Falloon and crossed for the unmarked Crum to beat the helpless Smith.
Aberdeen often made ground with well conceived combined movements but they were over- elaborate at close quarters and the Celtic defence was equal to all calls.
Five minutes from half-time persistent Aberdeen advances were rewarded, when Moore accepted a splendid return pass from Mills and ran on to flick the ball past Wallace with the outside of his foot ? a typical Moore goal.

Robertson's Goal

Territorially Aberdeen held the advantage in the second half, and they were well worth the equaliser, which came in twenty-three minutes. Love broke away on the right and Wallace, hampered by Moore failed to punch clear, and Robertson, who had run in, tapped the ball into the net.
Aberdeen will have to find their feet more quickly against Rangers on Saturday, and the forwards will have to display more enterprise at close quarters.
Smith, in the Aberdeen goal, had no chance with the shots that beat him. Cooper was the best defender afield. He was sure in his tackling and accurate in his clearances, and he never gave H. O'Donnell a chance.
McGill was shaky at the start, and although he improved later, he never appeared at ease against the speedy Crum/
Falloon was disappointing. He was only a shadow of the Falloon of Easter Road fame.
Thomson and Fraser played quite well, and were seen to better advantage than their counterparts in the Celtic side. They were sound tackler, but their passes too often found opponents. This department of their game could be improved.

Forwards Lack Punch

There was more understanding and cohesion in the Pittodrie attack than in that of Celtic's, but at the same time the Aberdeen quintette were no more dangerous.
What was lacking in the Aberdeen front rank was punch. Th eDons seemed to have the idea that the only way to get goals was to walk the ball into the net.
Love on the right wing has renewed his youth. He was a fast and dangerous raider, and he got across many dangerous balls. He had a capable partner in Warnock, one of the most active forwards afield.
Despite the close attentions of McStay, Moore got a goal, and his smart distribution was invaluable.
Mills was probably the most polished attacker afield. He instigated many clever raids, but he had left his shooting boots at home.
Robertson, who was brought in at the last moment for Beynon, showed that he has a good idea of wing play. He had an attack of nerves at the start, but he came away strongly, and is worth another trial.
Celtic were sound in defence without being impressive. While Wallace might have reached that shot of Love's which brought the equaliser, he had many clever saves to his credit.
Hogg was the better back and McStay the most polished middleman. Dawson and Geatons never hit the hlgh spots.
Crum was the danger man in the Celtics attack ? a speedy and tricky winger this. H. O'Donnell on the left never got out of Cooper's grip.
Dunn was an enterprising leader of the dashing type, but his inside supports, Thomson and F. O'Donnell, failed to touch their best form.

Source: Press & Journal, 26th February 1934