Aberdeen 2 - 0 Celtic

By NORMAN MACDONALD

IT’S still a case of pay your money and take your choice so far as the Scottish "A" Division championship is concerned. The holiday games failed to clear the air and the issue is still wide open.
Unpredictable Aberdeen might have been sitting up top with Queen of the Sonth and Hearts but for some unexpected and inexplicable lapses. They are not yet out of the hunt. They have still to play Queen of the South at Dumfries and Clyde and Hearts at Pittodrie.
And if Reggie Morrison and Joe O'Neil are a fair sample, the Dons should not fail for lack of reserve power. Both measured up against Celtic on Saturday.
The former Lewis United lad handled confidently and must be handed a bouquet for the fine anticipation he showed in saving Bobby Collins’ penalty kick in the second half.
This was my first view of O'Neil since his return from National Service. He seems to have developed greater powers of acceleration since I saw him last.
He has been figuring at inside left with some success in the reserve team since his return to Plttodrie. He blossomed out as a forward with Southend United while on Army service, although he was signed by Aberdeen as a wing half-back from Bridgeton Waverley.

Leading Role

O’Neil put up a pood show as Alllster’s deputy against Celtic. He tackled well and his value an attacker was exemplified by the fact that he played leading role in both goals.
Much has been written about Celtic this season purveying a brand of football which will take them right back to the forefront of Scottish soccer. The "inside story" was that their play was based on the same lines as the Hungarians.
If this is the case, there was little sign of it at Pittodrie. Thev were made to look a very ordinary team bv Aberdeen.
The Dons played strong, forceful football for ninety minutes. This was in direct contrast to the Dens Park game, where the team suffered a second-half black-out.
Aberdeen might have scored more emphatic victory over Celtic. Apart from the fact that two scoring shots were cleared on the goal-line by defenders. Paddy Buckley might have had more than two goals.
The centre-forward was Aberdeen's best player. He was clever, lively and elusive, and considerably tarnished the reputation of Stein, the Parkhead centre-half.
Hay showed his old tendency to hang on to the ball that viatal second too long, and although Leggat was eager he was seldom dangerous on the right. The speedy Hather was on top of the job in the first half, but some of the joy seemed to depart from his play after the interval.
The quick and determined tackling of the Dons’ half-backs was mainly responsible for the failure of the Parkhead front rank. Glen gave another polished performance, and I thought Caldwell at left back gave one of his best displays since being promoted to the first team.
The Dons’ next trial of strength is against Partick This'le at Firhill this week. Thistle appear to be a bit like Aberdeen they drop points when least expected. But they had one of their bright days at Dumfries on Saturday.

Source: Evening Express, 4th January 1954