Celtic 1 - 2 Aberdeen

BOTH POINTS DESERVED: CHAMPIONS FALL TO SUPERIOR TEAM

NICHOLSON AND ARMSTRONG OUTSTANDING IN CLEVER ABERDEEN SIDE

Aberdeen get full marks for their 2-1 victory over Celtic, the champions at Parkhead. They fully deserved the points and if they play with the same confident spirit in the future the League flag may yet flutter above the Pittodrie grandstand.

Celtic can have no excuse to offer - they were beaten by a better team. In general team-work and ball skill the Dons were ahead of the Celts. Their defence was sound and the attack clever and purposeful.
There were two incidents which will be remembered whenever the game is recalled. The first is Hamilton's glorious second goal, which, to the Celtic enthusiasts, must have brought back memories of McGrory, and the second is that desperate closing rally by the home team.
Aberdeen were the better-moving side the first period, and on chances should have held more than a single-goal lead at half-time. The Dons got off to a bad start. With four minutes gone Strauss was unfairly brought down by Hogg inside the penalty area, and a spot-kick was awarded. Thomson sent weakly past.
The game was played at a fast pace, and both defences were well tested. The Dons seemed to carry more threat in attack, and ten minutes from the interval they took the lead. Hamilton and Armstrong made ground, and from a slip from the centre the inside right scored with a grounder that entered the net near the post.

WELL-PLANNED GOAL

The second goal came fifteen minutes after the restart. It was the result of a well-planned attack. The ball travelled from McKenzie to Armstrong, to Hamilton, and then to Warnock. The winger sent it into the middle, and Hamilton dashed in to head it into roof of the net with terrific force.
When Celtic reduced the leeway in twenty-five minutes we saw a real fighting finish. The goal came during a persistent home attack. Cooper sent the ball in the air in an attempt to clear with his left foot, and when Johnstone punched the ball out Delaney fastened on to send into the net through a crowd of players.

ATTACK HELD AT BAY

Celts threw everything into a an effort to save a point, but although the Aberdeen defence was severely tested, they weathered the storm to emerge worthy winners.
Every Aberdeen player pulled his weight, but Nicholson and Armstrong were outstanding. The centre-half, with head and feet time again smashed up Celtic attacks. He dominated the middle of the field.
Armstrong was a skilful leader, and dictated the run of the play. He did not confine himself to the centre of the field, but dashed hither and thither in an effort to draw the defence. He spread play skilfully and was the best forward afield.
Johnstone kept a good goal, and Cooper was the best back of the four. He placed his clearances cleverly, and completely blotted out Murphy.
In successive matches Adey the Dons' left back has been opposed to McSpadyen and Delaney, Scotland's two best right wingers. The former Carlisle defender deserves credit for the fact that he has held his own on both occasions.
Thomson and Dunlop were two energetic wing halves, who worked hard in defence, and yet contrived to keep in touch with ther forwards.

SMART FORWARD

Hamilton was a smart inside forward. He took his goals well, and his clever distribution was responsible for many of the Aberdeen attacks.
McKenzie was never idle. He was back helping in defence and up urging on the attack. The Dons' inside trio was superior to that of Celtic.
Strauss and Warnock on the extreme wings were lively raiders, but both should have scored. They kept the Celtic full-backs busy.
Celtic's defence was not always always impressive. Kennaway in goal made no mistakes, but neither of the full backs was comfortable. Hogg was the more reliable. Paterson took the honours at half-back. Lyon found Armstrong too big a handful at times, and Geatons, although he proved himself a forcing player, tired towards the finish.
Try as he would, Crum could not escape Nicholson. McDonald and Divers, the inside supports, showed up well at times, but were not consistent, and neither of the wingers could be described as really dangerous. Delaney was more prominent than Murphy.

Source: Press & Journal, 29th August 1938

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