Celtic 2 - 3 Aberdeen

This was easily our best display of the season. Our lads were a bit apprehensive before the game when they heard the Celtic line up included Harry Hood and Jim Callaghan plus Roddy McDonald who has been the regular first team centre-half since the retiral of Billy McNeil.
After getting rid of their pre-match nerves the boys settled down quickly and were soon showing the kind of football that I know they are capable of playing. Ian Gibson got us of to a flying start with a good goal after a fine bit of play between George Campbell and Duncan Davidson. We managed to get another goal before half time, and again it was Davidson who did the spade work, picking up a ball from John Hather on the left wing, he resisted two tackles from McDonald and with good control and speed he outwitted Gourlay to lay the ball on for Walker McCall to side-foot into the net.
In between our goals our defence was coping with everything that Celtic could throw at us. Noel Ward in particular was dealing with everything that came his way with confidence Doug Rougvie was having a good game in his new role at centre-half and Neil Cooper was sweeping up at the back with the assurance of a veteran, for a youngster Neil has a great temperament and with his skill and knowledge of the game he should reach the top.
We lost an early goal in the second half scored by Temperley a young left winger who showed a great deal of promise. Ian Gibson got our third goal when he headed in across from Jim Crawford. Celtic pulled one back five minutes from the end, but there was no way our boys were going to lose this one.
I must give some praise for our mid-field trio, especially our skipper John Docherty who played a real captains part by being in the right place at the right time and his use of the ball, Ian Gibson's skill was very much in evidence and this was his best game since his illness, he also took his goals very well. Ernie Drews gave us his usual hard working performance and was unlucky on two occasions not to score. Walker McCall and Duncan Davidson were the perfect blend up front Walker had his best game for a very long time and Duncan is showing something like the form we expect from him.
Bobby Calder our chief scout was at the game and apart from enjoying the performance of our players he was full of praise for the referee Mr. Cuthill.

Source: Match Programme, 28th February 1976